Genetic variability studies in early cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.).

Genetic variability was studied for eighteen quantitative characters and five qualitative characters in forty genotypes of early cauliflower. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters except for days to curd initiation, days to curd maturity and curd depth. The genotypes viz., PCF-95, PCF-106, Inb-9-5 and Inb-10-1 were found promising as they had more than one desirable quantitative and qualitative traits. PCF-95 had maximum curd yield per hectare (271.87 q) while PCF-101 exhibited earliest harvestable curd maturity (115.33 days). Good level of phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation (PCV and GCV), broad sense heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed for characters like net curd weight, marketable curd weight, curd yield per hectare, harvest index and gross plant weight. However, lowest coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance were observed for days to curd initiation and days to curd maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]