Genetic variability, heritability and trait association in exotic apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) germplasm under Kashmir conditions
1Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Fruit Science Department, Faculty of Horticulture, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229. 2Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Faculty of Horticulture, Division of Fruit Science, Srinagar, Kashmir-190025. Corresponding e-mail: Sattumeghwal4@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i02.68
Genetic variability, heritability and trait association among ten exotic apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) accessions were studied under temperate Kashmir conditions during the period 2021-2023 through field study. germplasm accessions planted in a randomized block design with three replications. Most of the yield, fruit quality, stone and biochemical traits showed significant differences among accessions. Lunafell produced the highest yield per tree. Yerwani produced the highest fruit weight and Mayacot the highest total soluble solids. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was generally higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation, indicating the effect of environment on the expression of the trait. High heritability along with appreciable genetic advance was observed for traits like TSS, reducing sugar, total sugar, ascorbic acid, yield per tree and selected fruit and stone traits, which indicated the utility of these traits for selection. The results show that the germplasm exhibited useful variability for the improvement of apricot in temperate conditions.
