Estimation of genetic variability in salicornia (Salicornia brachiata Roxb.)

Results of genetic variability under evaluation trial of Salicornia branchiate (Roxb.) laid out during 2001–02 at Hathab (Gujarat), a coastal saline region of India are reported and discussed. Seeds were sown and seedlings transplanted in the field of 17 ecotypes of Gujarat. Plants raised from these collections were evaluated for their growth performance from nursery stage (1.5 months) to field (six month). Presence of adequate genetic variability is essential for selection, to operate and thereby improving yield. The present study was undertaken to determine the extent of variability, GCV, PCV, heritability, genetic advance for 7 characters of 17 ecotypes of salicornia brachiata. Highly significant differences among the ecotypes were observed for all the characters under study. Both phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation were higher for seed yield, followed by number of segment spike⁻¹, number of spike branch⁻¹, while it was lower for plant height and plant canopy. Heritability (broad sense) values were fairly good with regard to plant canopy, number of segment spike⁻¹, number of main branches and seed yield. Genetic advance as percentage of mean along with heritability was considerably high for seed yield, plant canopy and number of main branches plant⁻¹, which indicated that selection for these traits, may lead to an improvement in yield.