Abstract:
Prior knowledge on genetic variability is required in crop improvement programs. Information on genetic variability in garlic genotypes is important for the genetic improvement. Garlic has been valued for food, culinary, income and medicinal purposes in the world. However, there is no sufficient information on garlic genetic variability and association of traits in Ethiopian garlic genotypes. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate genetic variability among 49 garlic genotypes. The experiment was laid in 7x7 simple lattice design at FNRRTC on station during 2020/2021 cropping season. Both quantitative and qualitative traits were recorded and analyzed by SAS 9.4 version and Shannon-Wiener diversity index respectively. The analysis of variance showed highly significant (p<0.01) difference among the genotypes for almost all traits and leaf width showed significant (p <0.05) variations. Clove weight per bulb, total fresh bulb yield per hectare and clove number per bulb had high GCV and PCV values. Total fresh bulb yield per hectare (81.42% and 51.74%), clove number per bulb (78.71% and 45.17%) and clove weight (43.62% and 35.93%) had high heritability and genetic advance as percentage of mean values indicated in number respectively. Total fresh bulb yield per hectare had highly significant genotypic correlation coefficient with bulb weight per plant (r = 0.82***), pseudo stem height (r = 0.82***) and clove weight (r = 0.81***). Clove weight per bulb (r = 0.77***), pseudo stem height (r = 0.77***) and bulb weight per plant (r = 0.76***) had highly significant positive phenotypic association with total fresh bulb yield per hectare. Pseudo-stem height (0.42) and clove weight (0.39) had the highest phenotypic direct effect on total fresh bulb yield per hectare. The first two principal components were accounted for 74% of the overall variance. Cluster analysis showed the existence of two divergent groups with cluster-5 and cluster-4 (29.448). Since quantitative traits are polygenic and mainly affected by the environment, a one year experiment at one location does not reveal genotypes' variability in response to the environment. As a result, further trials in over years and locations will be required.
