Assessment of Genetic Variability in Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Germplasm

The present research work was conducted to assess the genetic variability present in elite turmeric germplasm comprising 50 genotypes. A total of nine morphometric traits including plant height, number of tillers, leaf growth parameters and rhizome yield attributes were recorded in these fifty genotypes. The genotypes exhibited a high degree of variation for all the characters studied. The magnitude of GCV and PCV were higher for the number of tillers, mother rhizome yield per plant, finger rhizome yield per plant and dry rhizome recovery percentage. Moderate to medium heritability estimates were recorded for leaf length, mother rhizome yield per plant, finger rhizome yield per plant, and dry rhizome recovery percentage and high heritability estimates were recorded for plant height, number of leaves, leaf breadth, number of tillers and total rhizome yield per plant. High heritability together with high genetic advance was registered for the number of tillers. Total rhizome yield per plant showed a significant positive correlation with finger rhizome yield per plant, mother rhizome yield per plant, leaf length and plant height. Among the various characters studied, mother rhizome yield per plant and finger rhizome yield per plant exhibited the highest positive direct effect on total rhizome yield per plant. Plant height, number of leaves, leaf length and leaf breadth exhibited a positive indirect effect on total rhizome yield via mother rhizome yield per plant and finger rhizome yield per plant.