Genetic Variability and Scope of Improvement in Onion Seed Crop

Investigations were carried out to assess genetic variability, heritability and expected genetic advance in forty onion varieties at P.A.U. Ludhiana during 1970–71. Significant differences among varietal means were observed for all the characters studied, viz., leaf length, umbel height, number of seed stalks per plant, umbel diameter, weight per umbel, 1000 seed weight and seed yield per plant. Ludhiana Local, a high yielding variety, had also higher number of seed stalks per plant and more weight per umbel, umbel diameter and 1000 seed weight. In general, a character exhibiting a wider range also showed high phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variability.

High heritability was observed for number of seed stalks per plant, whereas it was low for all other characters. Number of seed stalks gave high values for genetic advance as well. Umbel diameter, on the other hand, had showed low expectation for genetic gain.