Asian Jr. of Microbiol. Biotech. Env. Sc. Vol. 20, No.

(3) : 2018 : 965-969

© Global Science Publications
ISSN-0972-3005

GENETIC VARIABILITY STUDIES ON ADENIUM OBESUM FORSSK

ROEM AND SCHULT
S.K. CHAVAN1*, SINGH ALKA 2 AND S.R. BARKULE 3

Aspee College of Horticulture and Forestry,

Navsari Agriculture University, Navsari 396 450, Gujarat, India

(Received 1 November, 2017; accepted 20 December, 2017)

Key words : Genetic variability, Environmental variance, Heritability

Abstract– Large extent of genetic variability for various vegetative and floral characters among twenty two
genotypes of adenium was observed in the present study indicating complex heterozygous nature of
adenium. Contribution of environmental variances to the phenotypic expression of character was found to
be lower in all characters. Environmental variance for the character like number of branches, flower weight
and photosynthesis rate were very low, i.e. 0.02, 0.03 and 0.09 respectively indicating meagre role of
environment. The highest extent of genotypic coefficient of variation was exhibited by the character number
of petals per flower i.e. 40.89 per cent. High heritability was observed for all the characters. Genetic advance
as per cent of mean was also observed high for all the characters.

INTRODUCTION following methods

Mean-
Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem and Schult, known X = ΣXij
as desert rose is becoming very popular as a pot N
plant.It belongs to the family Apocynaceae. It is a Where, X = Population mean
genus of spectacular succulents and having very Xij = any observation in i th replication and jth
heterozygous genetic nature. Adenium obesum is a genotype
highly variable taxon in growth and flowering habit n = Number of observations
and is found across all Africa, South Sahara, Kenya
Genotypic variance (σ2g)
and from Senegal to Sudan. Most of the species of
Adenium are diploid (2n=24). Adeniums are best M2 - M3
suited for container culture as they are slow σ2g = r
growing, can tolerate salinity and most important Where,
they responds well to pruning. Adeniums are cross s2g = Genotypic variances
pollinated plants having heterozygous nature. Its M3, M2 = Mean squares for error and genotypes,
heterozygous nature and ease of vegetative respectively
propagation can envisage a path for development of r = Number of replications
newer genotypes. Hence it was felt necessary to Environmental variance (s2e)-
assess genetic variability. As a part of breeding σ2e = M3
programme, seven female lines and three males Where,
were hybridized in line x tester manner to develop σ2e = Environmental variance.
21 hybrid genotypes, these twenty one hybrids M3 = Error mean sum of square
along with ten parents and one local check variety
Phenotypic variance (σ2p)
was used to study genetic variability.
σ2p = σ2e+ σ2g
MATERIALS AND METHODS Where,
s2p, s2e, s2g = Variances due to phenotype, error and
Various variability parameters were calculated by genotype, respectively.
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]
1. Assistant Professor of Horticulture, 2.Associate Professor of Floriculture, 3.Assistant Professor of Horticulture.
966 CHAVAN ET AL.

Coefficient of variation environmental variances were 0.77, 0.56 and 0.21,

respectively while the PCV, GCV and ECV were
(a) Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV %) :
20.94, 17.87 and 10.91 per cent, respectively. High
√σ2p
PCV = × 100 heritability (73 %) along with average genetic
X advance (31.42%) was observed for caudex diameter
(b) Genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV %) : The mean of number of branches among all
√σ2g genotypes recorded were 1.09 branches per plant.
GCV = × 100 The range of variation for this character was from
X 1.00 branch per plant to 2.66 branches per plant. The
Where, phenotypic, genotypic and environmental variances
σ2p, σ2g = Variance of phenotypes and genotypes were 0.15, 0.13 and 0.02 respectively while the PCV,
X = Mean value of the character GCV and ECV were 35.67 per cent, 33.06 per cent
Heritability (broad-sense) H2 (b) – and 13.41 per cent, respectively. High heritability
(86%) along with high genetic advance (63.10) was
σ2g observed for same parameter.
H2 (b) %= × 100
σ2p The mean number of day required for first flower
Where, initiation among all genotypes were 227.81 days.
H2 (b) = Heritability (broad-sense) The range of variation for this character was from
σ2g = Genotypic variance 87.66 days to 287.33 days. The phenotypic,
σ2p = Phenotypic variance genotypic and environmental variances were 1389,
Expected genetic advance (GA) 1209.65 and 180.1, respectively while the PCV, GCV
G.A. = H2 (b) × K × √σ2p and ECV were 16.67 per cent 15.27 per cent and 5.89
Where, per cent, respectively. High heritability (87 %) along
GA = Genetic advance with high genetic advance (29.34%) was observed
H²(b) = Heritability (broad-sense) for this parameter.
K = Selection intensity at 5 per cent =2.06 The mean leaf thickness among all genotypes was
√σ2p = Phenotypic standard deviation 449.82 gauge. The range of variation for this
Genetic advance expressed as per cent of mean character was from 348.33 gauge to 579.00 gauge.
The phenotypic, genotypic and environmental
G.A. variances were 2903.82, 2685.39 and 218.43,
Genetic gain = × 100 respectively while the PCV, GCV and ECV were
(% of mean) X 11.98 per cent, 11.52 per cent and 11.98 per cent,
Where, respectively. High heritability (93%) along with high
GA = Expected genetic advance genetic advance (22.82%) was observed for this
X = Mean of the character under study parameter.
Mean leaf area among all genotypes was
RESULTS 31.01cm2. The range of variation for this character
was from 21.71 cm2 to 54.76 cm2. The phenotypic,
The overall mean plant height among all the genotypic and environmental variances were 54.59,
genotypes was 35.28cm. The range of variation for 45.47 and 9.11, respectively while the PCV, GCV and
plant height was from 11.00 cm to 49.33 cm. The ECV were 23.83 per cent, 21.75 per cent and 9.74 per
phenotypic, genotypic and environmental variances cent, respectively. High heritability (83%) along with
were 61.46, 47.71 and 13.75 respectively. The high genetic advance (40.89%) was observed for this
phenotypic, genotypic and environmental parameter.
coefficients of variation recorded were 22.22, 19.58 The mean leaf area index of among all genotypes
and 10.51 per cent, respectively. High heritability (78 was 3.91. The range of variation for this character
%) coupled with high genetic advance (35.53%) was was from 2.35 to 7.00. The phenotypic, genotypic
observed for this parameter. and environmental variances were 0.97, 0.75 and
For caudex diameter mean observation among 0.22, respectively while the PCV, GCV and ECV
all genotypes noted was 4.19 cm. The range of were 25.21 per cent, 22.18 per cent and 11.97 per
variation for caudex diameter was from 1.90 cm to cent, respectively. High heritability (77 %) along
5.20 cm. The phenotypic, genotypic and with high genetic advance (40.22%) was observed
 Genetic Variability Studies on Adenium obesum Forssk Roem and Schult 967

for this parameter. genotypic and environmental variances were 6.83,

The mean diameter of flower among all 6.83 and 0.00, respectively while the PCV, GCV and
genotypes was 8.03 cm. The range of variation for ECV were 40.79 per cent, 40.89 per cent and 0 per
this character was from 5.80 cm to 12.00 cm. The cent, respectively. High heritability (100 %) along
phenotypic, genotypic and environmental variances with high genetic advance (84.04%) was observed
were 2.28, 2.25 and 0.03, respectively while the PCV, for this parameter.
GCV and ECV were 18.82 per cent, 18.70 per cent The mean in situ longevity of flower among all
and 2.16 per cent, respectively. High heritability (99 genotypes was 21 days. The range of variation for
%) along with high genetic advance (38.26%) was this character was from 12.66 days to 28.33 days. The
observed for this parameter. phenotypic, genotypic and environmental variances
The mean length of corolla tube among all were 16.13, 13.17 and 2.96, respectively while the
genotypes was 4.85 cm. The range of variation for PCV, GCV and ECV were 19.13, 17.28 and 8.19 per
this character was from 2.35 cm to 6.20 cm. The cent, respectively. High heritability (82 %) along
phenotypic, genotypic and environmental variances with high genetic advance (32.17%) was observed
were 0.75, 0.74 and 0.01, respectively while the PCV, for this parameter.
GCV and ECV were 17.86 per cent, 17.75 and 1.97 The mean of number of flower buds and flowers
per cent, respectively. High heritability (99 %) along per cluster among all genotypes were 10.55. The
with high genetic advance (36.34%) was observed range of variation for this character was from 3.66
for this parameter. buds and flowers per cluster to 18.33 buds and
The mean diameter of corolla tube among all flowers per cluster. The phenotypic, genotypic and
genotypes were 1.95 cm. The range of variation for environmental variances were 16.02, 15.03, and 0.99,
this character was from 1cm to 3.50 cm. The respectively while the PCV, GCV and ECV were
phenotypic, genotypic and environmental variances 37.93, 36.75 and 9.44 per cent, respectively. High
were 0.35, 0.34, and 0.20, respectively while the PCV, heritability (94%) along with high genetic advance
GCV and ECV were 30.19 per cent, 29.84 per cent (73.30%) was observed for this parameter.
and 4.62 per cent, respectively. High heritability The mean flower weight among all genotypes
(98%) along with high genetic advance (60.74%) was were 1.57 g. The range of variation for this character
observed for this parameter. was from 0.48 g. to 2.88 g. The phenotypic,
The mean number of petals per flower among all genotypic and environmental variances were 0.43,
genotypes were 6.41petals per flower. The range of 0.40 and 0.03, respectively while the PCV, GCV and
variation for this character was from 5 petals per ECV were 41.56, 40.19 and 41.56 per cent,
flower to 15 petals per flower. The phenotypic, respectively. High heritability (94 %) along with

Table 1. Range, mean and genetic variances for various traits in adenium.
Sr. Characters Range Mean Phenotypic Genotypic Environmental
No. variance variance variance
1 Plant height at flowering 11.00-49.33 35.28 61.46 47.71 13.75
2 Caudex diameter at flowering 1.90-5.20 4.19 0.77 0.56 0.21
3 No of branches at the flowering 1.00-2.66 1.09 0.15 0.13 0.02
4 No of days required for first flower 87.66-287.33 227.81 1389.97 1209.65 180.31
initiation
5 Leaf thickness 348.33-579.00 449.82 2903.82 2685.39 218.43
6 Leaf area 21.71-54.76 31.01 54.59 45.47 9.11
7 Leaf area index 2.35-7.00 3.91 0.97 0.75 0.22
8 Flower diameter 5.80-12.00 8.03 2.28 2.25 0.03
9 Length of corolla tube 2.35-6.20 4.85 0.75 0.74 0.01
10 Diameter of corolla tube 1-3.50 1.95 0.35 0.34 0.01
11 No. of petals 5-15 6.41 6.83 6.83 0.00
12 In situ longevity of flower 12.66-28.33 21.00 16.13 13.17 2.96
13 No of buds & flowers per cluster 3.66-18.33 10.55 16.02 15.03 0.99
14 Flower weight 0.48-2.88 1.57 0.43 0.40 0.03
15 No. of flowers blooming once 6.33-33.66 20.33 59.99 53.61 6.39
968 CHAVAN ET AL.

high genetic advance (80.05%) was observed for this at primary screening stage suggests the polygenic
parameter. nature of characters and presence of epistatic gene
The mean number of flowers blooming once per action. Large extent of variation and presence of
plant among all genotypes were 20.33 flowers per characters of various species in the parent genotypes
plant. The range of variation for this character was is visible very easily. As the various species of
from 6.33 flowers per plant to 33 flowers per plant. adenium are from different geographical and
The phenotypic, genotypic and environmental environmental pockets, where adverse climatic
variances were 59.99, 53.61 and 6.39, respectively conditions are prevalent, species seems to develop
while the PCV, GCV and ECV 38.09, 36.01 and 12.43 morphological and physiological adaptations for
per cent, respectively. High heritability (89 %) along their survival. Leaf thickness range observed was
with high genetic advance (70.12%) was observed diverse (i.e. 348.33 to 579.00 gauge) which supports
for this parameter. to fact of thick epidermis and cuticle.
The genotypic variance were greater than
DISCUSSION environmental variances for all characters.
Contribution of environmental variances to the
Variability is the pre-requisite for success in any phenotypic expression of character was found to be
selection programme. It is necessary to partition the lower in all characters. This implied the restricted
total variability into heritable and non-heritable role of environment in Genotype X Environment
components viz., genotypic coefficient of variability interaction and subsequent expression of
(GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variability (PCV) phenotype. Hence phenotypic variability may be
and further to compute heritability and genetic considered as a reliable measure of genotypic
advance for various traits of interest to the breeder variability. Thus in the present investigation, as the
Wide range values of various parameters of phenotypic and genotypic variances were greater
economic considerations like height, caudex than the environmental variances for all the
diameter, flower, number of clusters per flower, characters under study (Table 2), indicated that
flowering duration diameter, pattern of flower selection for these characters would be effective.
colour, stomatal density, transpiration rate etc. Environmental variance for the Character number of
recorded in the present study clearly indicates the petals per flower was absolutely zero indicated
complex heterozygous nature of adenium and highest genotypic variance (6.83). Environmental
subsequent presence of large gene pool of variance for the character like number of branches,
quantitative characters. Discontinuous variation was flower weight and photosynthesis rate were very
observed in segregating progenies of all the crosses low, i.e. 0.02, 0.03 and 0.09 respectively indicating

Table 2. Estimates of PCV, GCV, ECV, heritability (b) and genetic advance and for various traits in adenium
Sr. Characters PCV% GCV% ECV % Heritability Genetic
No. (Broad advance
Sense %) over mean (%)
1 Plant height at flowering 22.22 19.58 10.51 78 35.53
2 Caudex diameter at flowering 20.94 17.87 10.91 73 31.43
3 No of branches at the flowering 35.67 33.06 13.41 86 63.10
4 No of days required for first flower initiation 16.37 15.27 5.89 87 29.34
5 Leaf thickness 11.98 11.52 3.29 93 22.82
6 Leaf area 23.83 21.75 9.74 83 40.89
7 Leaf area index 25.21 22.18 11.97 77 40.22
8 Flower diameter 18.82 18.70 2.16 99 38.26
9 Length of corolla tube 17.86 17.75 1.97 99 36.34
10 Diameter of corolla tube 30.19 29.84 4.62 98 60.74
11 No. of petals 40.79 40.89 - 100 84.04
12 In situ longevity of flower 19.13 17.28 8.19 82 32.17
13 No of buds & flowers per cluster 37.93 36.75 9.44 94 73.30
14 Flower weight 41.56 40.19 10.60 94.00 80.05
15 No.of flowers blooming once 38.09 36.01 12.43 89.00 70.12
 Genetic Variability Studies on Adenium obesum Forssk Roem and Schult 969

meagre role of environment. In present study, high genetic advance coupled

Comparing different quantitative characters in with high heritability was observed to almost all
respect of phenotypic and genotypic coefficient characters indicating non-additive gene effects and
variation were also calculated. The genotypic effectiveness of simple selection for improvement of
coefficient of variation measures the range of these characters. High heritability was observed for
variability among the characters and helps to all characters studied. Genetic advance as per cent of
compare the variability present among the mean were also observed high for all the characters.
characters. In the present study, all the characters The high estimates of broad sense heritability
exhibited existence of meager differences between coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of
genotypic and phenotypic coefficient variation mean were observed for flower weight, number of
which indicated that lesser influence of petals and number of flower buds and flowers per
environment. The highest extent of genotypic cluster.
coefficient of variation was exhibited by the
character number of petals per flower i.e. 40.89 per REFERENCES - Nil
cent.