Genetic Variabilities and Association of Component Characters for Some Varieties of Carrot (Daucus Carota L.) in the Forestsavannah Transition Zone, Ekpoma, Edo State Nigeria

The genetic variability and association of component characters for some carrot varieties ( Daucus carota L.) were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ambrose Alli University, Emaudo Anex, Ekpoma. The experiment was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 4 Replicates. Results showed that Nantes 2 castle had the highest plant height at 4 WAP, while at 8 and 12 WAP, Thema had the highest. Bakers brother had the highest number of leaves per plant at 4 WAP, while Thema had the highest at 8 and 12 WAP. Baker's brother had the biggest Stem girth, 16 WAP. Thema had the highest root length, diameter, and yield at 16 WAP. Root diameter is positively correlated with root yield. High heritability and genetic gain were observed for plant height and number of leaves per plant at 4, 8, and 12 WAP. Regarding stem girth, High heritability and Genetic gain were observed at 16 WAP (Ho 94.38%, GG 122.01). Moreso, High heritability and genetic gain were observed for root length, root diameter, and root yield at 16 WAP (Ho 94.80%, 91.99% and 84.51%) and (GG 21.15%, 49.35% and 33.98%). A high value of heritability and genetic gain resulted from the additive gene effect. Characters with low heritability and genetic gain were a result of non-additive gene effects; thus, characters cannot be easily improved upon, hence cannot be used as a basis of selection. Thus, Thema with a higher yield attribute is recommended for farmers in this locality.