Variability studies and value addition in Gomphrena (Gomphrena globosa L.)

The present experiment was carried out in COH, Bengaluru. Twelve genotypes of Gomphrena were evaluated for growth, flowering and yield attributes to study their genetic parameters such as variability, heritability, genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV). All traits showed significant difference among the genotypes. The maximum value of GCV and PCV were recorded for individual flower weight, flower petiole length, secondary branches. The highest broad sense heritability was recorded for individual flower weight, secondary branches, primary branches, duration of flowering, plant spread in N-S direction, plant height, and flower petiole length. High heritability and genetic advance as percent mean are due to additive type of gene action. In value addition Two genotypes of Gomphrena namely Gomphrena globosa L.‘white’ and Gomphrena globosa L.‘magenta’ were exposed to air drying and hot air oven drying. The data recorded on fresh weight, dry weight, moisture loss and duration of drying were analyzed by following factorial CRD. With respect to drying methods hot air oven drying retains colour and took minimum time for drying Gomphrena flowers. Hence this method is advantageous over air drying. The interaction effect showed that Gomphrena globosa L.‘magenta’ with oven drying achieved maximum score with respect to colour (20.53), texture (16.78), shape (20.98) and overall acceptability (20.33).