J. Hortl. Sci.

Vol. 16(1) : 36-44, 2021

Original Research Paper

Genetic variability studies in amaranthus (Amaranthus spp.)

Annapoorna H. Agadi,*1 Kolakar S.1, Lakshmana D.1, Nadukeri S.2 and Hanumanthappa M. 3
1
Department of Crop Improvement and Biotechnology, UAHS, Shivamogga
2
Department of Plantation Crops, UAHS, Shivamogga
3
Dean, COH, Mudigere, UAHS, Shivamogga
* Corresponding author e-mail : [email protected]

ABSTRACT
An investigation was carried out to estimate the nature and extent of genetic variability
among twenty Amaranthus genotypes (Amaranthus spp.) under randomized block design
during the year 2019-20. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than genotypic
coefficient of variation for all the traits. High genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and
phenotypic coefficient variation (PCV) were observed for leaf area, leaf area index, leaf area
duration, AGR, dry weight of leaf per plant, specific leaf weight, speed of germination,
chlorophyll content and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Moderate GCV and PCV were observed
for leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, dry weight of stem per plant, leaf: stem ratio and
foliage yield per plant. The high estimates of heritability coupled with higher values of genetic
advance as per cent mean (GAM) were observed for the parameters like test weight, speed of
germination, germination percentage, seedling dry matter, seedling vigour index-1, seedling
vigour index-2, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, leaf area index, leaf area
duration, AGR, specific leaf weight, stem weight per plot, dry weight of leaf, dry weight of
stem, leaf: stem ratio, foliage yield per plant, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and beta- carotene
content which indicates the predominance of additive gene action. Arka Arunima,
Chikmagalur local, IC-551486, IC-551494 and IC-551466 recorded high foliage yield per
plot and these can be utilized in further breeding programme.
Key words: Genotypic Coefficient of Variation, Genetic Advance as per cent Mean, Heritability and Phenotypic
Coefficient Variation
INTRODUCTION
Amaranthus or chaulai (Amaranthus spp.) is a very which provide the necessary information to assess the
popular widespread leafy vegetable throughout the variability. Studying the phenotypic expression of the
tropics and the temperate zone of the world including plant characters and yield is controlled by the genetic
India. It is grown throughout the year since it has very makeup of the plant and environment which is
quick growth and is suited for crop rotation. Most of composed of additive variance (heritable) and non-
the cultivated species are monoecious and wind- additive variance including dominance and epistasis
pollinated, while the grain species with colourful (non-allelic) interaction. Therefore, it becomes
inflorescence are occasionally visited by bees necessary to partition the observed phenotypic
(Khoshoo and Pal, 1970). The genus Amaranthus variability into its heritable and non-heritable
includes 50-60 species, cultivated for leaf as well as components with suitable parameters such as
for grains and few are wild species. Vegetable type genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation,
of leaf amaranth i.e., A. tricolor is originated in south heritability and genetic advance. Further, genetic
East Asia, particularly in India (Rai and Yadav, 2005). advance can be used to predict the efficiency of
Plant hybridization, mutation and polyploidy selection. With this background, the present
breeding are the ways and means to restore or create investigation was carried out to assess the extent of
the variability in the existing germplasm. In order to genetic variability in Amaranthus genotypes for yield
achieve this, collection and characterisation of and its component traits.
available genotypes could be the pre-requisite step
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommer cial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License,
which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
 Genetic variability studies in amaranthus

MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULT

The experiment was laid out in randomized block The results of the present experiment carried out
design (RBD), with two r eplications during with twenty genotypes of a mar anthus
summer, 2019. The genetic factors viz., range, (Amaranthus tricolor L.) to assess the genetic
mean, phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), variability among yield and its component traits are
genotypic coefficient of var iat ion (GCV), presented under the following headings.
heritability (h2 ), genetic advance (GA) and genetic
advance as per cent mean (GAM)were calculated. Analysis of variance
The details of genotypes used in the study are
presented in the Table 1. The analysis of variance indicated that significantly
higher amount of variability among the genotypes
Table 1: Details of Amaranthus genotypes for growth and yield parameters viz., plant height,
used in the study stem girth, leaf length, number of branches per
plant, leaf width, stem girth, petiole length, leaf area,
S. No. Germplasm Source leaf area index, leaf area duration, absolute growth
rate (AGR), dry weight of leaf per plant, dry
1 Arka Arunima IIHR, Bengaluru
weight of the stem per plant, specific leaf weight,
2 IC-551486 NBPGR, New Delhi stem weight of plant per plot, leaf :stem ratio,
foliage yield per plant, foliage yield per ha, total
3 IC-447684 NBPGR, New Delhi yield per plant. Similarly, the quality traits viz.,
4 IC-551482 NBPGR, New Delhi ascorbic, beta carotene, total chlorophyll were
found to have higher variability Tejaswini et al.
5 IC-551483 NBPGR, New Delhi (2017). The results are presented in the Table. 2.
6 IC-551462 NBPGR, New Delhi Genetic variability, heritability and genetic
7 IC-551492 NBPGR, New Delhi advance for different parameters of amaranthus
genotypes
8 IC-551466 NBPGR, New Delhi
The results pertaining to genetic factors viz., range,
9 IC-551477 NBPGR, New Delhi mean, phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV),
genotypic coefficient of var iat ion (GCV),
10 IC-38174 NBPGR, New Delhi heritability (h2 ), genetic advance (GA) and genetic
11 IC-551506 NBPGR, New Delhi advance as per cent mean (GAM) are presented
in Table 3.
12 IC-551494 NBPGR, New Delhi
Morphological characteristics
13 IC-551459 NBPGR, New Delhi
Plant height and stem girth: The variability for plant
14 IC551468 NBPGR, New Delhi height and stem girth was high, as reflected by its
15 Dharwad local Farmer’s field
wide range from 51.33 (IC-551477) and 11.54 (IC-
551482) to 64.21 cm (Kunigal local) and 18.93 mm
16 Kunigal local Farmer’s field (Arka Arunima) with mean value of 57.08 cm and
15.35 mm respectively. The PCV and GCV values
17 Arbhavi local Farmer’s field were low (5.79 and 6.15% respectively). Stem girth
exhibited moderate PCV (11.85%), low GCV
18 Gokak local Farmer’s field
(8.96%). The magnitude of heritability estimates was
19 Mudigere local Farmer’s field high (88.80%) and moderate heritability (57.20%)
with moderate genetic advance over per cent mean
20 Chikmagalur local Farmer’s field (11.26%) and (13.95%) respectively.

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 Agadi et al

Table 2: Analysis of variance (mean sum of squares) for growth, yield and
biochemical parameters in amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolor L.)

Source of variation/ Replications Genotypes S. Em ± CD @ 5% CV

characters

Degree of freedom 1 19

Growth & yield parameters

Plant height (cm) 0.0016 20.28 *** 0.75 2.30 1.92

Stem girth (mm) 1.14 5.20** 0.82 2.49 7.75

Number of branches 0.021 2.38 0.80 2.43 9.10

per plant

Number of nodes per plant 0.006 2.55 0.78 2.39 8.14

Petiole length (cm) 0.05 1.007* 0.39 1.21 10.01

Leaf length (cm) 1.42 10.53*** 0.59 1.82 8.98

Leaf width (cm) 0.36 1.93 0.34 1.05 9.22

Leaf area (cm2) 0.17 7376.70 *** 1.98 6.01 2.01

Leaf area index 0.0007 0.01 *** 0.006 0.018 4.13

Leaf area duration 0.68 822.32 *** 1.79 5.46 3.70

AGR 0.001 0.005 *** 0.012 0.038 11.40

CGR 0.09 0.63 0.49 1.51 0.89

Dry weight of leaf/plant (g) 10.53 30.16 *** 1.18 3.58 10.10

Dry weight of stem/plant (g) 8.77 36.25 *** 1.17 3.57 7.04

Specific leaf weight 0.000002 0.003 *** 0.0004 0.0012 1.41

Stem weight of plant/plot (g) 0.20 8722.80 *** 0.86 2.62 0.22

Leaf : stem ratio 0.00036 0.009*** 0.015 0.046 4.28

Foliage yield/plant (g) 8.36 489.47*** 2.25 6.85 2.30

Foliage yield/plot (kg) 0.68 0.42 0.33 1.0148 10.61

Foliage yield/ha (t) 50.62 9.23 2.52 7.6702 0.88

Biochemical parameters

Chlorophyll (mg/g) 0.046923 0.32*** 0.08 0.26 7.00

Ascorbic acid (mg/g) 0.000023 6.38 *** 0.04 0.14 1.77

Beta carotene (mg/g) 0.001562 1.61 *** 0.02 0.06 0.38

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 Genetic variability studies in amaranthus

Table 3: Estimates of mean, range, components of variance, heritability and genetic advance for
growth, yield and biochemical parameters in amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolor L.)

Sl.
Character Range Mean GCV% PCV% H2 (%) GA GAM
No.

Growth & yield parameters

1 Plant height (cm) 52.3 - 64.21 57.26 5.39 5.72 88.00 5.99 10.46

2 Stem girth (mm) 11.54 - 18.93 15.35 8.96 11.85 57.00 2.14 13.95

3 Number of branches 10.75 - 14.91 13.04 5.60 10.68 27.00 0.77 6.05
per plant

4 Number of nodes 12.07 - 15.95 14.06 5.60 9.88 32.00 0.91 6.53
per plant

6 Petiole length (cm) 4.15 - 7.18 5.78 10.02 14.17 50.00 0.84 14.60

7 Leaf length (cm) 5.38 - 14.37 9.68 22.83 24.53 86.00 4.23 43.76

8 Leaf width (cm) 4.19 - 7.57 6.21 16.83 19.19 76.00 1.65 30.39

9 Leaf area (cm2) 24.45 - 268.33 142.62 42.56 42.60 99.00 124.89 87.57

10 Leaf area index 0.07 - 0.38 0.21 42.06 42.26 99.00 0.18 86.22

11 Leaf area duration 38.39 - 114.16 69.83 28.92 29.15 98.00 41.25 59.07

12 AGR 0.09 - 0.26 0.16 30.15 32.23 87.00 0.09 58.08

13 CGR 1.84 - 3.66 2.56 9.36 29.68 9.00 0.15 6.07

14 Dry weight of 12.39 - 25.02 16.96 21.76 23.98 82.00 6.89 40.64
leaf/plant (g)

15 Dry weight of 16.01 - 32.06 24.23 16.84 18.26 85.00 7.75 32.02
stem/plant (g)

16 Specific leaf weight 0.01 - 0.19 0.041 95.01 95.02 100.00 0.08 195.69

17 Stem weight of 600.09 - 792.78 696.71 9.47 9.48 100.00 136.00 19.52
plant per plot (g)

18 Leaf : stem ratio 0.41 - 0.67 0.51 13.25 13.93 90.50 0.13 25.97

19 Foliage yield/ 113.71 - 169.40 142.18 10.88 11.12. 95.70 31.18 21.93
plant (g)

20 Foliage yield/ 3.89 - 5.43 4.56 6.75 12.58 28.80 0.34 7.47
plot (kg)

21 Foliage yield/ 19.4500 - 27.17 23.76 6.095 14.16 18.50 1.28 5.40
ha (t)

Biochemical parameters

22 Chlorophyll (mg/g) 1.20 - 2.70 1.79 21.89 22.99 90.07 0.77 42.96

23 Ascorbic acid (mg/g) 1.32 - 7.00 3.84 46.47 46.51 99.90 3.67 95.67

24 Beta carotene (mg/g) 6.92 - 10.12 8.62 10.42 10.42 99.90 1.84 21.45

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 Agadi et al

Number of branches per plant and petiole length: estimates of PCV and GCV were high (29.16% and
The number of branches per plant ranged between 28.92%, respectively). High heritability (98%)
10.50 (IC-551477) and4.15 (IC-551462)to 15.91 coupled with high genetic advance as per cent mean
(Arka Arunima) and 7.18 cm (Arka Arunima)with (59.07%) was noticed.
mean value of 13.04 and 5.78 cm respectively. The
Physiological characteristics
moderate estimates of PCV (13.27 ) and (14.17 ), low
GCV (3.98%) and moderate (10.02%) were noticed. Absolute growth rate (AGR): The values for AGR
Low heritability (27%) and low genetic advance as ranged from 0.09 (IC-551494) to 0.26 (Arka Arunima)
with mean value of 0.16. the estimates of GCV and
per cent mean (2.46) was observed for the trait.
PCV observed were high with values 30.15 and
Petiole length (cm): Petiole length ranged from 4.15 32.23 per cent respectively, high heritability (87% )
(IC-551462) to 7.18 cm (Arka Arunima). The average coupled with high genetic advance (58.08) was
value for the trait was 5.78 cm. PCV (14.17%) and observed for the trait.
GCV (10.02%) values were moderate along with Crop growth rate (CGR): The values for CGR
moderate heritability (50%) and moderate genetic ranged from 1.84 (IC-551483) to 3.67 (Arka Arunima)
advance as per cent mean (14.60%). with mean value of 2.56. The moderate estimates of
Leaf characteristics GCV (9.36%) and high PCV (29.68%) coupled with
low heritability (09.00%) and low genetic advance as
Leaf length and width: It ranged from 5.38 (IC- per cent of mean (6.07) was observed.
5515067) to 12.83 cm (IC-38174) with a mean of
Specific leaf weight: The values for specific leaf
9.68 cm. The high PCV (21.36%) and moderate GCV
weight ranged from 0.01 (IC-551466) to 0.19 (IC-
(18.95%) were observed. High heritability (78.80%)
551486) with mean value of 0.04. The high estimates
coupled with high genetic advance over per cent of GCV (95.01%) and PCV (95.02%) was observed.
mean (34.66%) was noticed. The high estimates of heritability (100%) coupled with
Leaf width (cm): The variability observed for Leaf high genetic advance as per cent of mean (195.69%)
width was high, as reflected by its wide range from was observed for the trait.
4.59 (IC-551468) to 8.58 cm (IC-551486) with an Yield and its component traits
average value of 6.21 cm. High estimates of PCV
Foliage yield per plant (g): The mean value for
(20.96%) and moderate GCV (16.29%) were
foliage yield per plant was 142.18 g which range from
observed. The estimates of heritability was high
114.60 (IC-551468) to 169.40 g (Arka Arunima).
(60.40%) along with high genetic advance as per cent
Moderate estimates of GCV (10.88%) and PCV
mean (26.08%). (11.12%) was observed. The high heritability
Leaf area and Leaf area index (LAI): The values for (95.70%) coupled with high genetic advance as per
leaf area ranged from 24.45 (IC-551486) to 268.33 cent of mean (21.93%) was noticed for the trait.
cm2 (Arka Arunima) with mean value of 142.62 cm2. Foliage yield per plot (kg): The estimated value for
High estimates of GCV (42.56%) and PCV (42.60%) foliage yield per plot ranged from 3.89 (IC-551468)
were found. High heritability (99%) coupled with high to 5.43 kg (Arka Arunima) and mean value for this
genetic advance as per cent mean (87.57%) was trait was 4.56 kg. Low GCV (6.75%) and moderate
observed for the trait. PCV (12.58%) values were recorded. The heritability
The values for leaf area index ranged from 0.07 (IC- estimated was low (28.80%) along with low genetic
551486) to 0.38 (Arka Arunima) with mean value of advance as per cent mean (7.47%) was noticed for
the trait.
0.21. High estimates of GCV (42.06%) and PCV
(42.26%) were found. High heritability (99%) Total yield per plant (g): The mean value for total
coupled with high genetic advance as per cent mean yield per plant was 175.03 g which ranged from
(86.22%) was observed for the trait. 150.69 (IC-551468) to 207.59 (Arka Arunima). Low
estimates of GCV (6.12%) and moderate PCV
Leaf area duration (days): The mean value for leaf (11.34%) was observed. The low heritability (29.10%)
area duration was 69.83 days with a range of 38.39 with low genetic advance as per cent of mean (6.80)
(IC-551486) to 114.16 days (Arka Arunima). The was noticed for the trait.
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 Genetic variability studies in amaranthus

Total yield per plot (kg): The mean value for total enough and conclusive to explain all the inherent
yield per plant was 5.26 g which ranged from 4.52 genotypic variance in the collections. The phenotype
(IC-551468) to 6.22 (Arka Arunima). The low of crop is influenced by additive gene effect
estimates of GCV (6.50%) and moderate PCV (heritable), dominance (non-heritable) and epistatic
(11.29%) was observed. The low heritability (non-allelic) interaction. Hence, it becomes necessary
(33.50%) with low genetic advance as per cent of to split the observed variability into phenotypic
mean (7.80) was noticed for the trait variation and genotypic variation which indicates the
Biochemical parameters extent of variability existing for various traits. The
estimation of heritability has a greater role to play in
Chlorophyll content (mg/g): Chlorophyll content was determining the effectiveness of selection for a
ranged from 1.20 (Arbhavi local) to 2.70 mg (Arka character provided it is considered in conjunction
Arunima) with a grand mean of 1.79 mg. The with the predicted genetic advance as suggested by
estimates of GCV and PCV were high (21.90% and Panse and Sukhatme (1962) and Johnson et al. (1955)
22.99% respectively). High heritability (90.70%) was as the heritability is influenced by bio-metrical
observed along with high genetic advance as per cent method, generation of hybrid, sample size of
mean (42.96%) for the trait. experimental material and environment. With these
Ascorbic acid (mg/g): Ascorbic acid ranged from points in view, the results of the variability observed
1.32 (IC-447684) to 7.00 mg (Arka Arunima) with a in the twenty amaranthus genotypes evaluated in the
grand mean of 3.84 mg. The estimates of GCV and present investigation are discussed hereunder.
PCV were high (46.47% and 46.51% respectively).
Phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of
High heritability (99.90%) was observed along with
variability
high genetic advance as per cent mean (95.68 %) for
the trait. The extent of variability present in the germplasm
provides scope for the crop improvement programme
Beta-carotene (mg/g): Beta-carotene content ranged
and also depends on the extent of heritability for a
from 6.92 (IC-551483) to 10.12 mg (Mudigere local)
trait. Variation can be created artificially but the
with a grand mean of 8.62 mg. Moderate estimates
examination of naturally existing variability in the
of GCV (10.42%) and PCV (10.42%) were observed.
germplasm of the species is also an important task
High heritability (99.90%) was observed along with
for the breeder.
high genetic advance as per cent mean (21.45%) for
the trait. In the present study, totally twenty genotypes were
DISCUSSION evaluated to know the extent of variability for growth,
yield and quality parameters. The analysis of variance
For any crop improvement programme, it is important indicated highly significant differences among
and a pre–requisite to maintain the genetic variability genotypes for all the characters viz., plant height, stem
that allows identification of promising genotypes in the girth, number of branches per plant, leaf length, leaf
germplasm collections that can be used in the breeding area, leaf area index, petiole length, leaf area duration,
programme to develop promising cultivars. absolute growth rate, specific leaf weight, foliage
Variability, heritability, genetic advance and yield per plant, total yield per plant, chlorophyll
genetic advance over mean content, ascorbic acid content and beta-carotene
content. Thus, it is implied that there was reasonably
Existence of genetic variability among the genotypes sufficient variability in the material used for the study,
for the characters to be improved is the most basic which provides ample scope for selecting superior
requirement for successful selection. In the present and desired genotypes by the plant breeders for
investigation, variance due to treatments (genotypes) further crop improvement.
was significant for all the twenty for growth,
earliness, yield and leaf quality parameters. It The results from analysis of variance revealed
indicated that sufficient variability existed for most highly significant variation among the genotypes for
of the characters and considerable improvement could growth, yield and quality parameters in amaranthus
be achieved in these characters by selection. (Table 4) and considerable improvement could be
However, the analysis of variance by itself is not achieved. However, the analysis of variance by
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 Agadi et al

itself is not enough and conclusive to explain all the Heritability and genetic advance
inherent genotypic variances in the genotypes. One The effectiveness of selection for any character
of the ways, by which variability in the characters depends not only on the amount of phenotypic and
could be assessed is through simple approach of genotypic variability but also on estimates of broad
examining the range of var iations. Range of sense heritability.
variation observed for all the traits indicated the High heritability was observed for plant height, leaf
presence of sufficient amount of variation among length, leaf width, leaf area, leaf area index, leaf
the genotypes for all the characters studied. area duration, AGR, specific leaf weight, foliage
Means of genotypes varied greatly for the traits yield per plant, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and beta-
viz., stem girth, leaf area, leaf area duration, dry carotene content which indicates the prevalence of
additive gene actions and lesser influence of
weight of leaf per plant, dry weight of stem per
environment in the expression of these traits,
plant, foliage yield per plant, foliage yield per hence these characters are amenable for selection.
hectar e indicated the higher ma gnitude of The similar results were also observed by Pan et
variability. In the present study, wide range of al., (2008), Chattopadhyay et al., (2013),Yadav et
variability was observed for all the characters. al., (2014), Venkatesh (2014), Mobina and
Jagatpati (2015), Sarker et al., (2016), Buhroy et
In the present experiment, high estimates of GCV
al., (2017), Lokeshkumar and Murthy (2017),
and PCV values were observed for leaf area, leaf Panda et al., (2017) and Yogendra et al., (2018)
area index, leaf area duration, specific leaf weight. for plant height, specific leaf weight, Yogendra et
The similar results were also observed by Rani and al. (2018) for leaf length. Kusuma et al., (2007)
Veeragavatham (2003) for specific leaf weight; and Ramesh et al., (2013) for dry weight of leaf
Kusuma et al. (2007) for dry weight of leaf per per plant, dry weight of stem per plant, Tejaswini
plant; Anuja and Mohideen (2007), Ramesh et al. et al., (2017) for leaf length, leaf width, leaf area,
(2013) and Panda et al.(2017) for leaf area; leaf ar ea dur ation, foliage yield per plant,
Tejaswini et al. (2017) for leaf area index and leaf chlorophyll content, ascorbic acid and beta carotene
area duration; Yadav et al. (2014) and Tejaswini content.
et al. (2017) for leaf length. Heritability in broad sense is not the true indicator
High GCV and PCV values with narrow difference of inheritance of tr aits. Since, only additive
is an indication of existence of broad genetic base component of genetic var iance is efficiently
among the population, suggesting stable expression tr ansfer r ed fr om gener ation to gener ation.
of genotypes for these traits which provides scope Therefore, heritability in broad sense may mislead
for the improvement of these characters through in judging the effectiveness of selection for the
simple selection. trait. Considering heritability in broad sense along
with genetic advance may reveal the prevalence
Moderate GCV and PCV were observed for leaf
width, petiole length and foliage yield per plant of specific components (additive or non-additive)
which indicated presence of moderate amount of of genetic variance and thus, helps in judging the
variability for these traits and little influence of effectiveness of selection for the tr ait mor e
environment on these traits. The similar results are accurately. High heritability accompanied with high
also observed by Ahammed et al. (2012), Hasan genetic advance indicates the prevalence of
et al.(2013), Patial et al.(2014), Buhroy et al. additive gene effects and hence, selection would
(2017) and Diwan et al. (2017). be effective for such traits. From the present
It appears that phenotypic variability may be a investigation characters like leaf length, leaf area,
good measure of genotypic variability for almost all leaf area index, leaf area duration, AGR, specific
growth characters such as leaf length, leaf width, leaf weight, foliage yield per plant, chlorophyll
petiole length and foliage yield per plant as the content, ascorbic acid and beta-carotene content
estimates of GCV and PCV were closer and recorded high heritability with high genetic advance
parallel indicating that they are least affected by over mean. This indicates the predominance of
environment.
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 Genetic variability studies in amaranthus

additive gene action and amenable for phenotypic specific leaf weight, which indicated lesser influence
selection in early gener ations, results ar e in of environment in expression of these traits and
accordance with the findings of Pan et al., (2008), prevalence of additive gene action in their inheritance.
Chattopadhyay et al., (2013), Venkatesh (2014), Hence, genetic improvements of these traits are
Yadav et al., (2014), Mobina and Jagatpati (2015) amenable for selection.
Sarker et al., (2015), Buhroy et al., (2017),
Lokeshkumar and Murthy (2017), Panda et al., CONCLUSION
(2017) and Yogendra et al., (2018) for plant height, In the present investigation, high GCV and PCV
specific leaf weight, foliage yield per plot Yogendra were observed for parameters like, leaf area, leaf
et al., (2018) and Kehinde et al., (2013) for leaf area index, leaf area duration, AGR, dry weight of
length. Kusuma et al., (2007), Ramesh et al., leaf per plant, specific leaf weight, speed of
(2013) and Tejaswini et al., (2017) for leaf length, germination, chlorophyll content and ascorbic acid
leaf width, leaf area, leaf area duration, foliage (vitamin C). It indicated existence of broad genetic
yield per plot, chlorophyll content, ascorbic acid and base, which would be useful for further selection.
beta carotene content in Amaranthus. The parameters like stem girth, number of branches
per plant, leaf length, stem weight per plot, leaf:
Prevalence of high degree of additive components of
stem ratio, petiole length and foliage yield per plant
genetic variance, high heritability coupled with high
are important characters to be accounted for
genetic advance as per cent mean, presence of high
gaining improvement in total yield per plant. Since,
GCV and PCV for the characters viz., leaf length,
these characters had high significant and positive
leaf area, leaf area index, leaf area duration, AGR,
direct effects on foliage yield per plot.

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(Received on 5.11.2020, Revised on 06.06.2021, Accepted on 21.06.2021)

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