Genetic diversity for morphological characters and biochemical components in African marigold

Thirty three genotypes of African marigold (Tagetes erecta) were evaluated for 27 characters contributing for yield, carotenoid and lutein. Based on the method of propagation, the study material comprised of three vegetative propagated and thirty seed propagated genotypes. Phenotypic coefficient of variability (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was maximum for fresh petal meal per flower and dry petal meal per flower. High broad sense heritability coupled with high genetic gain was observed for number of secondary branches, fresh petal meal per flower, dry petal meal per flower, dry weight per flower, flower weight per plant, flower number per plant, zea-xanthin content, lutein content, total carotenoid content, seed number per flower, 100 seed weight, number of seeds per gram and shelf life. It indicates that most likely the heritability due to additive gene effects and selection will be effective. Efficiency of hybrid seed production depends on ability of seed production. Attempts have been made to study seed production in both apetaloid and petaloid sterile lines. Variability analysis was attempted to analyse the characters contributing for seed yield and the results suggested that the characters that contribute for flower yield also contributed for seed yield.