Genetic variability and trait association in sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) under temperate Kashmir valley conditions

Abstract: Ten diverse broccoli genotypes selected from germplasm collection maintained at SKUAST-K, Shalimar were crossed in all possible combinations excluding reciprocals. Forty five F₁ crosses (excluding reciprocals) were generated through a 10 x 10 diallel mating design. Each genotype was represented by two rows of ten plants each at spacing 60 x 45 cm in a Randomized Block Design with 3 replications in Rabi 2008 and 2009. Data was recorded on five randomly selected competitive plants from each replication for 16 metric traits. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was moderate to high in lateral head yield, lateral head number, main head yield and total carotenoids and low for days to central head harvest, days to central head initiation, plant height and plant spread. Broad sense heritability was comparatively moderate to higher in plant height, head length, days to central head initiation, lateral head yield, main head yield,. total head yield and total carotenoids content but low for ascorbic acid content, plant spread and dry matter content. Genetic advance was high (> 20.%) for lateral head yield and total carotenoids content while it was low (<5%) for ascorbic acid, peduncle length and dry matter content. Among various traits, the plant spread, head diameter, leaf number, leaf area, lateral head number, main head yield and lateral head yield possessed positive correlation with total yield at genotypic level while plant height, head length, ascorbic acid and total carotenoids had negative correlation with total yield at genotypic level. However, main head yield, lateral head yield, head diameter and lateral head number had highly significant positive correlation with total head yield.