Author(s):
Garlic is the second most important bulbous allium species in the world after onion. It is also a popular vegetable in Ethiopia, used in various forms including flavoring food, generating income, and making traditional medicines. However, biotic and abiotic factors affect the genetic potential and the quality of garlic crops. Thus, the aim of this field trial was to assess the genetic variation, heritability, and genetic advance of garlic genotypes. Forty-nine (49) garlic genotypes were evaluated in a simple lattice design with two replications at Fogera National Rice Research and Training Center in Horticultural Research Site. The study revealed a significant genetic variation found in clove weight per bulb (26.41%), total fresh bulb yield per hectare (27.54%), bulb weight (21.1%), and clove number per bulb (24.71%). As well as a significant phenotypic variation observed in clove weight per bulb (39.99%), total fresh bulb yield per hectare (30.85%), bulb weight (31.62%), and clove number per bulb (27.85%). Total fresh bulb yield per hectare (81.42%), clove number per bulb (78.71%), and clove weight (43.62%) were characterized by high heritability and high genetic advance as a percent of the mean. A high genetic advance in fresh bulb yield per hectare, clove number per bulb, and bulb diameter are highly linked with the high heritability. These characteristics are therefore crucial for simple selection and helpful for future advantages aimed at improving garlic breeding.
