Utilizing selection indices to enhance genetic gain in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.).

Turmeric, known as “The golden spice” in India, is prized for its curcumin pigment, offering various uses as a food preservative, spice, and coloring agent. Its medicinal potential is gaining global recognition. A total of 24 turmeric genotypes were evaluated at Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat. Significant genetic diversity among the genotypes was revealed through multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Discriminant function analysis and selection indices were employed to improve grain yield and other important traits in turmeric. The results showed that selecting multiple traits simultaneously through a selection index yields higher genetic gain compared to selecting single traits. The comparison of selection efficiency for different trait combinations demonstrated an increase in selection efficiency with an increasing number of traits. The highest selection efficiency was observed when all six attributes were considered. The study identified the most effective four trait combination, comprising curing percentage, leaf oil percentage, rhizome oil percentage and fresh rhizome yield per plant, for enhancing grain yield in turmeric. The best-performing genotype, ATG-17, showed promise for future breeding activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]