Variability Analysis for Various Morphological Traits in Major Bamboo Species in Tarai Region of Uttarakhand

Genetic parameters play an important role in deciding breeding methods and selection criteria. An experiment was conducted with the objective to analyze 12 bamboo species with the aim to estimate the components of variance, heritability, and genetic advance (% of mean) for 18 morphological traits. The experimental materials were planted in randomized block design at AFRC (Agroforestry Research Center), G.B.P.U.A. & T., Pantnagar, India in 2005 observation for present investigation was recorded during 2019-20 and2020-21. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for most of the traits studied; indicating ample scope of selection for bamboo improvement The high values for the maximum number of traits were shown by D. giganteus followed by D. hamiltoni and B. nutans. Higher estimates of PCV and GCV were recorded for all the traits except culm sheath length and blade length ratio. For characters like culm height, leaf width, wall thickness and culm sheath breadth at the base had low difference between PCV and GCV indicating that environment had a slight effect on the expression of these characters. Results revealed high estimates of heritability with high genetic advance as % of mean for all the characters studied which indicated that these characters are controlled by additive gene action and will respond effectively on phenotypic selection.