Estimation of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in twenty-one released varieties of oat (Avena sativa L.) for grain and fodder yield

Abstract

Present investigation was carried out at Instructional Dairy Farm in G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar on twenty one released varieties of oat (Avena sativa L.) during rabi 2010-11 and 2011-12. Heritability estimates varied from 28.79 per cent for crude protein content to 94.30 per cent for plant height. Grain yield per plant showed highest GCV estimates of 43.91 per cent. High to moderately high variability for GCV coupled with high estimates of heritability were observed for all the characters. As per pooled two years analysis results revealed maximum genotypic coefficient of variation for grain yield per plant, harvest index, leaf : stem ratio, dry matter yield, green fodder yield and straw yield per plant. While high heritability and moderate to high genetic advance was observed for plant height, leaf length, leaf : stem ratio, spikelet per panicle, dry matter yield, green fodder yield, straw yield per plant, grain yield per plant and harvest index indicating the preponderance of additive genetic effects for these traits. The genetic advancement as per cent mean was found to be highest for harvest index (66.09) followed by green fodder yield (51.74), dry matter yield (49.07), leaf : stem ratio (47.63), grain yield plant–1 (41.87) and straw yield plant–1 (41.87).