Studies on variability, heritability, genetic advance and character association in watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsam and Nakai] Sundaram M. Shanmuga, Kanthaswamy V., Kumar G. Ashok Department of Horticulture, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute, Karaikal-609 603, Puducherry Abstract Genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation coefficient of fruit yield and eleven other characters were studied in twenty F1 hybrids of watermelon. Significant differences among the hybrids were observed for all the characters. Analysis of variance revealed the existence of significant differences among the hybrids studied for all the characters. Variability study revealed high estimates of genetic coefficient of variation for yield per vine, indicated that the environment has little influence and selection rewards. Heritability coupled with genetic advance as per cent of mean were also high for yield, fruit weight and node at which first female flower anthesis, suggested that these traits are predominantly under the control of additive genes. These traits can be relied upon for improvement for yield in watermelon hybrids. Correlation studies indicates that yield per vine showed positive significant correlation with vine length, number of female flowers per vine, number of fruits per vine, fruit weight, fruit diameter, 100 seed weight and flesh weight. Top Keywords Correlation, Genetic advance, Genetic variability, Heritability and Watermelon. Top |