Genetic Variability and Correlation Studies for Fruit Quality and Biochemical Traits of Papaya (Carica papaya L.)

The present study was carried out with the objective to evaluate genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation among eight genotypes of papaya for fruit quality and biochemical traits. The fruits were harvested at ripe stage for the biochemical analysis using UV-visible spectrophotometer. The biochemical traits included total soluble solids, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity (CUPRAC and DPPH assay), total carotenoid and lycopene. All the traits under the study showed high phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV). High ratios of genotypic variance and phenotypic variance were observed for traits like TPC, TFC, antioxidant activity and lycopene content. Heritability for traits ranged from 0.91 per cent to 96.56 per cent, of which majority of traits showed very high heritability. Highest genetic advance (GA) was recorded for DPPH antioxidant activity (27.33), while other traits exhibited moderate to low GA values. A positive association of the trait, total carotenoid content was observed with TPC and DPPH antioxidant activity, while lycopene content showed positive association with CUPRAC antioxidant activity. Greater value of PCV than GCV indicates the effect of environment on expression of traits. TPC, DPPH antioxidant activity and lycopene content exhibited high heritability coupled with moderate GA which indicates the additive gene action for heritability of traits, thus, selection may be an effective method for the improvement of the trait.