GENETIC VARIABILITY AND CORRELATION STUDIES IN ONION (ALLIUM CEPA VAR. CEPA L.) FOR ECONOMIC DRY MATTER YIELD

Sixty-two genotypes were collected and evaluated and studied the range and phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation, heritability and genetic advance for the seventeen economic dry matter yield related characters. Higher estimates of genotypic and phenotypic co-efficient of variation were observed for bulb weight, economic dry matter yield/ha, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and sulphur contents in related to economic dry matter yield. Bulb weight, economic dry matter yield and sulphur content were highly heritable. In association analysis, bulb weight, total dry matter production, chlorophyll a, net assimilation rate and total soluble solids were recorded high positive and significant associations with economic dry mater yield/ha.