Variability and covariability of agronomic characteristics in 14 Kenaf genotypes [electronic resource].

Includes references.

A field experiment was conducted during 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons at Ismailia Agricultural Research station, Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, to study the variability and covariability of 14 kenaf genotypes including green stalk yield, fiber yield and their related characters. The experimental design was randomized complete block with three replications per each of the three environments (seasons ). Mean square values showed highly significant differences among genotypes (G) and genotypes x environments (E) interaction for green stalk yield and its components viz.: plant height, technical stem length, fiber yield and fiber percentage as well as seed yield and fruiting zone length. Variances due to differences among genotypes (G) were higher than those due to the interaction (G x E) for all characters studied except fiber yield/fed. These results indicated that most of the variability for these traits were mainly controlled by genetic factors less influenced by environmental factors. This means that the improvement of these traits could be achieved by selection. Heritability values (Hb.s.) in broad sense were high for seed weight/plant followed by plant height and technical stem length. Also, the observed narrow range between phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic (GCV) coefficients of variability, which gave almost similar values of PCV and GCV for seed weight/plant were mainly due to genetic differences as evidenced from the very high heritability.

Summary in Arabic.

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