Genetic variability studies in vegetable amaranthus

Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for 14 characters in 100 genotypes of vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus sp.) were studied. Considerable amount of phenotypic and genotypic variability was observed for number of leaves, root weight and leaf weight in both summer and monsoon seasons. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width and green yield per plant indicating that additive gene effects were operating for these characters and selection pressure could be applied on them for yield improvement.