Estimates of variability, heritability and genetic advance in baby corn

Abstract

A set of 20 bay corn cultivars was evaluated for variability and genetic advance for 20 quantitative characters. Five traits viz., days to first and last cob picking interval, husked cob yield/plant, husked yield/plant, harvest index and tassel weight/plant exhibited high values of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV). Stalk weight, biological yield, husked cob yield/plant, husk yield/plant, fodder yield/plant and plant height expressed high heritability accompanied with high genetic advance indicating that additive gene action governed the expression of these traits. Two traits viz., days to first and last cob picking interval and single de-husked cob weight showed lower values for both heritability and genetic advance. Two maize genotypes, viz., HM 4 and HQPM 1 were found suitable for baby corn cultivation.