Estimation of variability parameters for certain quantitative traits in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) genotypes
Abstract
Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is an important plantation crop of Malvaceae family and its center of origin is Upper Amazon basin of South America. In India, it is grown as an intercrop in coconut and arecanut gardens especially in South India. Morpho-agronomic characters of pods and seeds can be used to evaluate the relationship between cocoa genotypes. In the present study, significant variations inthe mean performance of 20 genotypes for 13 traits were observed which revealed that the germplasm collections being maintained have high breeding value. The GCV and PCV ranged from moderate to high. Traits like plant height, first branching height, canopy area, leaf area, pod weight and single dry bean weight recorded high PCV and GCV indicating the high variability. High heritability ranging from 52.81 per cent for number of beans per pod to 99.84 per cent for first branching height was recorded. High genetic advance as per cent of mean was recorded for canopy area (89.33 per cent). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance for all the traits except pod girth, bean length and pod value indicated that all these traits are controlled by additive gene action and has least environmental influence. Further, correlation analysis revealed association of various traits which can be used as selection criteria for efficient planning of cocoa breeding program.
It is certified that:
- The corresponding author is fully responsible for any disputes arising due to the publication of his/her manuscript.
- The article has been seen by all the authors who are satisfied with its form and content.
- The sequence of names of authors in the by-line is as per their relative contribution to this experiment, giving due credit to all scientists who made notable contribution to it.
- All the authors fully understand that inclusion of any other co-authors or exclusion of any co-authors is not possible once the article has been submitted to the journal.
- The corresponding author takes full responsibility for this article.
- The address of the organization where the research was conducted is given.
- The article is exclusive for this journal, and the results reported here have not been sent (and will not be sent during its consideration by this journal) for publication in any other journal.
- Authors agree to abide by the objective comments of referees and do agree to modify the article into a short note as per the recommendation, for publication in the Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding.
- If published in Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, the copyright of this article would vest with the Indian Society of Plant Breeders, who will have the right to enter into any agreement with any organization in India or abroad engaged in reprography, photocopying, storage and dissemination of information contained in it, and neither we nor our legal heirs will have any claims on royalty.
