Genetic evaluation of isabgol (Plantago ovata F.)

Sixty four diverse genotypes of Plantago ovata were evaluated for seed yield and quality attributes Significant genetic differences were observed amongst genotypes for all fourteen traits. Heritability estimates were high for five characters viz., days to 50% flowering, seed yield per plant, 1000 seed weight, swelling factor and husk yield per plant. Seed yield was found to be positively and significantly correlated with all the characters except days to 50% flowering and days to maturity. Path analysis revealed that husk yield per plant, harvest index and number of seeds per spike had positive direct effect on seed yield. Thirteen genotypes, out of sixty four, were identified as desirable for yield and quality attributes which can be used in further breeding programme to develop high yielding better quality genotypes.