GENETIC VARIABILITY, HERITABILITY AND DIVERGENCE STUDIES IN STRAWBERRY (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) GENOTYPES UNDER POLYTUNNEL AND SHADE NET CONDITIONS

Introduction: Twenty genotypes of strawberry were evaluated to understand the genetic variability and divergence present in strawberry for identifying the suitable genotypes and traits for performing selection and hybridization. Materials and Methods : The genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variability, heritability in broad sense and genetic advance as percent of mean was calculated. The genetic divergence was estimated by Mahalanobis D2 statistics and cluster analysis was done using Tocher’s method. Results and Discussion: The high value of GCV confirms the broad genetic base and diversity in population. The traits like TSS, total sugars, ascorbic acid, non-reducing sugars, reducing sugars, plant spread, sugar/acid ratio, fruit length, TSS/acid ratio, chlorophyll index, plant height, average berry weight, fruit width, average yield plant-1, average number of fruits plant-1, flower diameter, average length of runner, average number of runners plant-1, juice content, average number of nodes, titratable acidity and LAI were suitable traits for the purpose of the traits like TSS, TSS/acid ratio, ascorbic acid, total sugar, reducing sugars, average yield plant-1, average berry weight were reported to be suitable for performing hybridization work during crop improvement program in strawberry. These traits and genotypes have also reflected variation under two growing conditions viz., polytunnel and shade net. Conclusion : The breeding program through selection or hybridization is possible by using these genotypes and above-mentioned traits; however, it should be specific to growing conditions.