Preliminary Evaluation of Some Cape Gooseberry (Physalisperuviana L.) Genotypes under Jammu Plains

The present investigation aimed to assess 10 genotypes of cape gooseberry at SKUAST Jammu. A evaluation was conducted using a randomized complete block design in three replications. The significant amount of variation was observed among the genotypes for all the studied traits. High magnitude of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) values were observed for resistance against fruit cracking, acidity, pectin, total sugar, number of days to fruit set, fruit length, fruit breadth, yield per plant which indicates the presence of high genetic variation. The PCV was estimated to be higher than the GCV for all the observed traits. However, close estimates of GCV and PCV revealed that genetic variance played a major role in the phenotypic expression of most of the traits. As a result phenotypic selection is both effective and desirable. The magnitude of heritability ranged from 35.47% to 95.88% indicating the presence of additive gene action and the need for population improvement through selection. Considerable amount of genetic variability among the genotypes indicating greater potential of the genotypes for their exploitation to improve yield and its component traits. The genotypes have great potential for further improvement.