Genetic variability studies in Indian garlic (Allium sativum L.) accessions using agro-morphological traits

To assess the dispersion of genetic variation among Indian garlic accessions, twenty-five genotypically diverse accessions were studied through analysis of genetic variability, mean performance, heritability and genetic gain for 17 yield contributing agro-morphological traits.The study involving 25 Indian garlic accessions was undertaken at Vegetable Farm, CSK HPKV, Palampur during 2017-2018. Based on mean performance, Kanaid Local Selection and Chambi Local Selection were the top-ranking genotypes for bulb yield per plant which significantly out yielded all the genotypes with a significant increase of 28.7 % and 12.7 %, respectively over standard check, (GHC-1). In general, the magnitude of PCV was higher than their respective GCV for all the traits studied which reflected the considerable influence of environment on the manifestation of these traits.High estimates of phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were obtained for bulbils per plant, clove weight and clove equatorial diameter indicating better scope for improvement through selection.The high heritability coupled with high genetic gain for bulbils per plant, clove weight, leaf width at middle portion, clove equatorial diameter, cloves per bulb and pseudo stem diameter showed active involvement of additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits and selection for these traits will directly increase bulb yield per plant.