Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Some Yield and Yield Related Traits and Oil Content in Ethiopian Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) Genotypes

Coriander is a diploid annual plant, belonging to the Apiaceae/Umbelliferae family and it plays an important role in the Ethiopian domestic spice trade. Eighty one Ethiopian coriander genotypes were evaluated in 9×9 simple lattice designs for genetic variability in seed yield and yield related traits at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center during 2011 main cropping season. Data were collected on 21 yield and yield related characters. The analysis of variance showed that genotypes differed significantly for all characters studied with exception of umbel number per plant, number of seeds per plant and number of seeds per umbellete. Highest Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) was recorded for leaf number per plant followed by plant height at flowering and seed yield per hectare, in contrast lowest GCV were recorded for number of seed per plant, number of seed per umbellete and umbel number per plant. The highest Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) was similarly recorded for leaf number per plant followed by, seed yield per hectare, plant height at flowering and harvest index per plant. The highest broad sense heritability values was recorded for days to 50% flowering, days to emergence, days to maturity and days to start of flowering. However, lowest heritability was recorded for umbel number per plant, number of seed per umbellete and number of seed per plant. The highest genetic advance as percent of mean was recorded for leaf number per plant, plant height at flowering and number of secondary branches. While the lowest genetic advance as a percent of mean was recorded for number of seed per plant, number of seed per umbellete and umbel number per plant.