Characterization and genetic variability in taro

Twenty four land races of Colocasia were evaluated to identify their genetic variability under the agro-morphological purview at the Instructional Farm, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mon (Aboi), Nagaland during April to December, 2013–14. Significant inter-genetic differences were recorded for all the plant and cormel characters. The highest estimates of genotypic (GCV) and phenotypic (PCV) coefficients of variation were observed in case of cormel per plant (50.31 and 50.20%), followed by corm weight per plant (38.39 and 38.21%) and maturity in days (37.00 and 36.11%). Both high heritability (broad sense) and genetic advance were very high for corm weight per plant (99.71% and 250.02) and cormel per plant (99.90% and 167.10). Such high heritability followed by high genetic advance indicates that selection may be effective for improvement of such characters.