Genetic variability studies in selected genotypes of khirni (Manilkara hexandra)

Khirni is one of the minor fruit crop of tropics. It is a well–known for medicinal and commercial importance. Totally, twenty six khirni genotypes were evaluated for yield, yield contributing characters and bio-chemical features during 2022-2023 at Department of Fruit Science, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, to estimate the extent of genotypic and phenotypic variability among them. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all studied traits. The magnitude of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was greater than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the character. High PCV and GCV (>20%) were recorded for average yield per tree, number of flowers per fascicle, seed weight, number of leaves per seedling and seedling vigour. Low expression of phenotypic coefficient of variation (<10%) were observed for acidity followed by total sugars, vitamin C, reducing sugars and non reducing sugars. High heritability (>90%) estimates were obtained for average yield per tree, vitamin C, seedling vigour, length of seedling, total sugars, reducing sugars, germination percent, seed weight, non reducing sugars and fruit weight. The highest genetic advance was also observed for the average yield per tree, seed weight and seedling vigour. Based on yield and yield-contributing traits, as well as germination studies, the genotypes MGK-31 and MGK-60were identified as promising for future khirni breeding improvement programs.