Polygenic Variations and Character Association Studies in Garlic

Garlic contains several important constituents like garlicin and allistatin. Besides it is used as spices it has several medicinal properties. Despite high demand of the crop, there is a huge gap between production and uses because of low yield potentiality. Therefore to identify high yielding variety twenty-seven genotypes of garlic were evaluated for twelve quantitative characters during the present investigation. Genotype 644 was found the highest yielder than standard check variety (G282) used. A high value of GCV (Genotypic coefficient of variation) and PCV (phenotypic coefficient of variation) were recorded for clove weight, yield per plant and cloves per bulb. It was observed that the plant height, leaf length and yield per plant were the main contributors for high heritability. The genetic gain was effective in yield per plant, the weight of clove, cloves per bulb and leaf length. Almost all morphological characters were positively correlated with yield per plant. Plant height, average clove weight and clove length directly affect the yield of garlic, clove width cloves per bulb, leaf width has indirect effects on yield. Variability present in a population is paramount importance to plant breeder for starting a judicious crop improvement programme.