Four major yield and fibre yielding-contributing traits were investigated in five Kenaf genotypes. The experiment was conducted in two years 2009 and 2011 laid out in Randomized Block Design with four replications. The superior kenaf variety HC-583 was used as a standard check. This Multilocational testing of advanced genotypes was conducted over two years to monitor the performance of newly created promising genotypes and phase out non-performing genotypes that donot match our criteria. As kenaf is not a mainstream fibre crop, so very less research work has been done to release a variety. Genetic parameters like variability, heritability, genetic advance were estimated and path analysis was done. For the traits under consideration, the test genotypes exhibited a wide range of variability. These traits also confirmed to have a significant heritability. In all the traits assessed, the (PCV) was shown to be greater than the (GCV). Basal diameter had the highest heritability, followed by plant height, while green weight and fibre yield had lowest heritability. Basal diameter and plant height showed significant heritability paired with strong genetic advances, implying that an additive gene was important in determining these traits. Plant height showed a high positive and significant association with green weight. As a result, simple selection on the basis of plant height can be used to improve this green weight and subsequently the fibre yield for the set of five kenaf genotypes under study.

Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation, Genotypic Coefficient of Variation, Heritability, Genetic advance, Path analysis

Variability parameters are mandatory components that must be incorporated in a feasible crop improvement program for optimal selection. The results of the research showed that plant height was an important criterion to be considered in any selection procedure that would increase the fibre yield as in the present study the plant height was directly correlated with green weight. Increase in green weight also amounts to increase in fibre yield. Furthermore, the residual effect (0.27) in the path analysis implied that the four traits in the present study are insufficient to account for total variability. This suggests that in future line of work by the researchers, various other traits must be considered that would be directly or indirectly correlated with fibre yield for holistic conclusions not leaving any room for ambiguity.

Suvendu Kumar Roy, Bandan Thapa, S. Vishnupriya, S. Pavithra, Bijaya Sur, N. Umamaheshwar, Bilin Maying, Sahanob Nath, Avralima Sarkar, Lakshmi Hijam, Moumita Chakraborty, Rupsanatan Mandal, Dinesh Tulsiram Surje and Sanghamitra Rout (2022). Assessment of Genetic Variability for Fibre Yield and its Attributing Traits in Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) under Multilocational Trials. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(2): 429-433