Genetic Variability Studies in Onion (Allium Cepa L.)

An experiment on genetic variability study in onion was carried out in the rabi season involving 16 genotypes. Wide variation was observed among the genotypes for all traits. Results revealed that the genotype cv. Pusa Madhavi, AOSDRB-0919 and AOSDRB-0913 performed better in terms of yield and yield attributing characters and therefore, these lines may be used for breeding programme. The highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variations were recorded on yield per plot (16.96–15.81%), yield per ha (14.86–14.07%), bulb size (12.34–11.65%), plant height (12.00–11.57%) and bulb weight (14.27–11.57%). Similarly, the high heritability and genetic advance were also recorded on yield per plot (86.9 and 0.60%), yield per ha (89.6 and 7.30%), plant height (93.0 and 11.38%), bulb size (89.2 and 6.16%), and bulb weight (65.7 and 18.80%), being suggesting the major role of genetic constitution in the expression of the characters. Yield per ha had positive and highly significant correlation with yield per plot, TSS and bulb size both at phenotypic and genotypic level, respectively.