Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance Studies in Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)

Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance were estimated for marketable and its component yield traits in 29 lines of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.). The study showed high ranges for marketable yield (122.00–363.00), marketable head (75.00–99.00) and days to marketable maturity (69.67–112.00). The highest estimates of PCV and GCV were for marketable yield (PCV= 32.08, GCV= 29.95) followed by net weight of head (PCV= 30.42, GCV= 27.05) and gross weight per plant (PCV= 28.79, GCV= 26.17) and low for harvest index (PCV= 12.53, GCV= 10.73) followed days to marketable maturity (PCV= 11.99, GCV= 9.20) and marketable head (PCV= 9.37, GCV= 3.41). Narrow differences between PCV and GCV, gave evidence to the lines that the variability existing in them was mainly due to their genetic make up. High heritability was noticed for shape of head (93.1%) followed by compactness of head (92.00%), marketable yield (87.2%), and gross weight per plant (82.5). Number of non-wrapper leaves, harvest index, marketable head and length of stalk showed moderate heritability estimates. Days to marketable maturity showed low heritability estimates (49.2%). High heritability in broad sense indicated that large proportion of phenotypic variance was attributable to the genotypic variance and were less influenced by the environment. High genetic advance was observed for marketable yield (58.00), whereas it was low for days to marketable maturity (14.53), marketable head (2.56), length of stalk (15.00) and harvest index (19.00) and indicates that these traits are likely to respond better to selection.