Elucidation of Genotypic Variability, Character Association, and Genetic Diversity for Stem Anatomy of Twelve Tossa Jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) Genotypes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Anatomy of twelve tossa jute genotypes were performed for the variability, heritability, and genetic advance based on yield attributing six anatomical traits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiments were carried out in field and laboratory including 12 tossa jute genotypes followed by RCB design in JAES, Manikganj, and Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh, during 2019-2020. Hypothesis. The tested genotypes were expected to perform better than controls in respect of anatomical characters contributing to fiber yield in tossa jute plants. RESULTS: Five genotypes, i.e., Acc. 1318, Acc. 1306, JRO S(1), O-412-9-4, and O-0512-6-2 providing good results for the total fiber bundle area, trapezoid number, bark diameter, area of trapezoid, and bark thickness per transverse section in the anatomy of jute plants depicting the more variability (P > 0.01) as well as the possibility of tossa jute varietal development. These morphological and anatomical traits showing highly significant association ((∗∗)) with one another and coupled with high genetic and phenotypic variance components; high heritability; high and moderate genetic advance and higher divergence in clustering (D(2)), and PCA would be used as criteria for selection and improvement for fiber yield of tossa jute. CONCLUSIONS: The high variation and divergence for anatomical characters may be considered an effective selection method of genotypes for higher fiber yield comparing with controls. The genotypes, i.e., Acc. 1318, Acc. 1306, JRO (segregate), O-412-9-4, and O-0512-6-2 with good anatomical traits related to fiber yield could be used as parents in breeding program as well as direct variety development.