Genetic Variability and Heritability Studies in Cuphea procumbens

The extent of variability, heritability and genetic advance for days to flowering, plant height, yield traits and yield were determined in 15 germplasm lines of Cuphea procumbens. Sufficient variability existed for number of branches/plant, yield/plant, number of fruits/plant and number of seeds/fruit indicating that selection for these traits between germplasm lines may be fruitful. Among 15 germplasm lines NBC 58, NBC61 and NBC 60 were found to be better for yield and yield traits. Heritability in broad sense was high for all the characters and ranged from 64.56 to 98.83%. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance and high coefficient of variability for yield/plant, number of fruits/plant, number of seeds/fruits and number of branches/plant indicates the governance of these characters by additive gene effects thereby implying that simple selection may be effective.