Estimation of heritability and Predicted Genotype Mean for Seed Yield of Castor (Ricinus communis L.) using best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP)

Abstract

Eighty six castor genotypes were evaluated to estimate heritability and predicted genotype mean for seed yield and its component traits. The genotypes were planted at three locations using incomplete block experimental design with three replications. The results revealed significant effects of genotypes for most of the traits evaluated. Significant interactions of genotypes by locations were observed for six traits including 100 seed weight and seed yield. Genotypic coefficient of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation were high for number of branches per plant and 100 seed weight. Heritability for the studied traits ranged from 0.21 to 0.92. High genetic advance as percentage of mean coupled with high heritability were observed for most of the traits. Thirty six out of eighty six genotypes evaluated presented predicted genotypic seed yield mean above the general mean. These results revealed moderate to high possibility for improvement of five out of ten traits evaluated.