Genetic Parameters in Germplasm Lines for Yield and Its Contributing Traits in Grain Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.)

The present investigation was conducted to estimate the genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance of genotypes of grain amaranth during kharif, 2022 at Agricultural Research Station, Tornala. Fifty nine genotypes of grain amaranth along with 4 checks (Suvarna, BGA-2, GA-5 and RMA 7) were evaluated in an augmented block design for access their performances. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation were observed for grain yield/plant (82.73/82.70), no. of spikelets/ plant (62.41/62.36), inflorescence length (49.72/49.66), plant height (41.54/41.47) and days to 50% flowering (21.78/21.66) indicating the presence of high variability in germplasm for selection. The characters viz., days to 50% flowering, plant height, inflorescence length, no. of spikelets/ plant and yield/plant expressed high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean, which indicates preponderance of additive gene action in controlling the traits. Hence, the characters having high GCA & PCA can be relied upon and simple selection can be practiced for further improvement. Based on the performance, genotypes SKGPA183, EC322998, IC 551493, IC 551496 and IC 551499 have been found superior among the genotypes which can be used in breeding programmes for crop improvement.