Assessment of genetic variability, heritability and character association in yield and yield attributing traits of pickling mango (Mangifera indica L.) genotypes

The present experiment was carried out in Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam during the year of 2019-21, to evaluate morphological, flowering, yield and yield attributing characters of 36 pickling mango genotypes, collected from southern parts of the Western Ghats and farmer’s fields. Because of open pollination, seedling origin and heterozygous conditions, most of the trees exhibit a wide range of variability. A high level of GCV, PCV along with a moderate to a high level of heritability were recorded for different traits under this study. Magnitude and range of phenotypic coefficient of variation were higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for every trait. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was exhibited by pulp weight, fruit weight, fruit yield/tree, stone weight, acidity percentage and its mainly due to additive gene action. Association study revealed that fruit yield per tree had a significant and positive correlation with panicle width, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, pulp weight, stone weight, and negative association with tree height, tree girth, canopy spread E-W, days to 50% and 100% flowering, and selection may be effective.