Evaluation of Genetic Variation and Heritability in the Growth Parameters of Dendrocalamus strictus at Nursery Stage

Abstract

Dendrocalamus strictus is the most dominant, naturally occurring, and commercially important bamboo species in Uttar Pradesh and dry region of India. It is commonly known as Male Bamboo, Solid Bamboo, or locally referred as Lathi Bans due to its structural characteristics. Thirty Candidate Plus Clumps (CPCs) of Dendrocalamus strictus collected from different forest divisions of Vindhyan region in U.P. were studied for the pattern of genetic variation and character association after 30 months growth at nursery stage. The results revealed the presence of highly significant variations among the CPCs for diameter, height, number of internodes and length of internode. There are fair differences between phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variability indicating that these parameters are sensitive to environmental changes. The estimates of heritability and expected genetic gain were low to moderate for all the characters, except height, diameter and number of internodes which registered comparatively higher values of heritability and genetic gain. The study will be helpful for selection of CPCs of Dendrocalamus strictus in order to multiply good quality of bamboo vis-à-vis enhancing the productivity.