Understanding of genetic variables for growth and yield traits of dill (Anethum graveolens L.)

Dill (Anethum graveolense L.)is one of the neglected and minor spice crop, with low genetic variability. The genetic improvement of dill is being limited due to lack of genetic resources. Dill is mainly grown for seed as well as foliage leaf, the leaf yields are varied with the genetic background of genotypes. Therefore, the selection of genotypes with high leaf yield is highly desired, along with magnitude of heritability and genetic advance for wider adaptation andcultivation. In this view, the local genotypes were collected and their genetic variables were assessed, and results of analysis of variance revealed the signifcant diferences among the genotypes. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent over mean was observed for economical trait (85.5 and 34.7 percent for leaf yield, respectively)indicated that, the traits were highly heritable in nature, hence selection breeding is most efective. The phenotypic coefcient of variation was noted low (3.29-8.66), medium (10.6-18.2)and high (26.9), and genotypic coefcient of variation witnessed low (1.71-8.1), medium (10.3- 17.5)and high (24.0)variation among genotypes and lines. The leaf yield was highly signifcant, positively correlated with growth and other yield traits. The genotypic correlation was greater than the phenotypic correlation among the genotypes. Hence, either simple selection, or mass selection of desirable traits and their associated traits would be efective for improvement of leaf yield of dill genotypes. Furthermore, signifcantly high leaf yielding genotypes (ACKD-6, ACKD-8, ACKD-11, ACKD-14, ACKD-16, ACKD23, ACKD-28, ACKD-29 and ACKD-30)can be directly recommended for cultivation.