GENETIC VARIABILITY, HERITABILITY, AND GENETIC GAIN IN SWEET POTATO (IPOMOEA BATATAS L. LAM) FOR AGRONOMIC TRAITS

Abstract

The study aimed to estimate the genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance in the existing sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) populations for growth and yield traits in Peninsular Malaysia. The experiment transpired in 2020 at the Centre of Excellent Tuber Crops Research, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Bachok, Kelantan, Malaysia. A total of 39 sweet potato genotypes studied consisted of introduced hybrids from the International Potato Center (CIP), Peru, Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC), Taiwan, and local conventional and newly released cultivars and breeding lines by MARDI, Bachok, Malaysia. Analysis of variance showed significant (P < 0.05) differences among the potato genotypes for almost all the traits. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) appeared higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all traits. With their high heritability estimate (>60%) and a genetic advance of 5% (>20%), the other agronomic traits: storage root yield per plant, individual storage root weight, and yield per hectare, may benefit as useful selection criteria in sweet potato development. Further, recommend these characteristics for consideration while selecting high-yielding sweet potato cultivars. Thus, the findings of this study proved valuable in future breeding programs for improving cultivars and developing more genetic variations in sweet potatoes, especially in Malaysia.