Abstract:
Prior knowledge on genetic variability is required in crop improvement programs. Information on genetic
variability in garlic genotypes is important for the genetic improvement. Garlic has been valued for food, culinary, income and medicinal purposes in the world. However, there is no suf icient information on
garlic genetic variability and association of traits in Ethiopian garlic genotypes. Therefore, the present
study was conducted to evaluate genetic variability among 49 garlic genotypes. The experiment was laid
in 7x7 simple lattice design at FNRRTC on station during 2020/2021 cropping season. Both quantitative
and qualitative traits were recorded and analyzed by SAS 9.4 version and Shannon-Wiener diversity
index respectively. The analysis of variance showed highly significant (p<0.01) dif erence among the
genotypes for almost all traits and leaf width showed significant (p <0.05) variations. Clove weight per
bulb, total fresh bulb yield per hectare and clove number per bulb had high GCV and PCV values. Total
fresh bulb yield per hectare (81.42% and 51.74%), clove number per bulb (78.71% and 45.17%) and
clove weight (43.62% and 35.93%) had high heritability and genetic advance as percentage of mean
values indicated in number respectively. Total fresh bulb yield per hectare had highly significant
genotypic correlation coef icient with bulb weight per plant (r = 0.82***), pseudo stem height (r =
0.82***) and clove weight (r = 0.81***). Clove weight per bulb (r = 0.77***), pseudo stem height (r =
0.77***) and bulb weight per plant (r = 0.76***) had highly significant positive phenotypic association
with total fresh bulb yield per hectare. Pseudo-stem height (0.42) and clove weight (0.39) had the highest
phenotypic direct ef ect on total fresh bulb yield per hectare. The first two principal components were
accounted for 74% of the overall variance. Cluster analysis showed the existence of two divergent groups
with cluster-5 and cluster-4 (29.448). Since quantitative traits are polygenic and mainly af ected by the
environment, a one year experiment at one location does not reveal genotypes' variability in response to
the environment. As a result, further trials in over years and locations will