GENETIC VARIABILITY, CHARACTER ASSOCIATION AND DIVERSITY IN KENAF (Hibiscus cannabinus)

Abstract

Twenty five genotypes of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) from different geographic origins were grown at the Central Jute Agricultural Experiment station of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), Jagir, Manikganj during 15 March to 30 September, 2015 to study their variability, correlation and diversity for nine morphological characters. Significant variation was found for all the characters among the genotypes. PCV was greater than GCV and high GCV values were observed for green weight with leaves, green weight without leaves, stick weight and fibre weight. The high heritability (more than 85%) coupled with high genetic advance in percent of mean were observed for most of the traits. All the characters except green bark thickness and internode length showed significant and positive correlation with fibre weight. Path co-efficient analysis revealed that green weight with leaves, green weight without leaves, green bark thickness and stick weight showed positive direct effect on fibre yield. The maximum and minimum cluster distance were observed between clusters I and V (13.566) and I and III (2.602), respectively. Plant height was found responsible for the maximum diversity. The genotypes of clusters I and V were more diversed as they could be used as parents for future breeding program to develop Kenaf variety. Considering cluster distance and other agronomic performance genotypes G22 and G25 might be suggested for future hybridization program.