Genetic variability estimation and correlations in white clonal type garlic (Allium sativum L) characters

The Province of Mendoza is participating with 40 % of Argentina's garlic production, under its commercial types "white" and "red". Aiming at collecting information, to draft strategies for the obtainment of "white" garlic commercial cultivars, it was suggested to evaluate the existing genetic variability and to determine correlation among the commercially interesting characters. In 1989, collection of 36 bulbs from different commercial cultivars was gathered. The trial was laid out in a randomized block design with two replications. It was analyzed the equatorial diameter, weight, clove number and fertile leave number of each bulb. The highest phenotypic variation was recordered for weight and number of cloves. It was observed a high degree of genetic determination in the number of cloves, 0,63 + 0,15. The genetic, environmental and phenotypic correlation among equatorial diameter and weight gave high and significant values (p < 0,01), 1,00; 0,80 and 0,84. Between weight and clove number values were 0,60; 0,49 and 0,46 respectively, with a p < 0,01 for all three cases. To verify these results, three groups for each of the previously mentioned characteristics were generated in 1990. High, intermediate and low value clones were gathered for each group. A replication trial was made for each group, to analyze the response to selection. The response to selection was in accord with the estimations of genetic determination's degree. It was confirmed the existence of genetic variability in "white" garlic, the possibility of selection for clove number and bulb weight, and also a further advance of the equatorial diameter's selection through bulb weight indirect selection.