Vol. 11, Issue 11 (2022)

24 accessions of Bixa orellana L. were gathered from Annatto gene bank at TNAU, Mettupalayam, India, and their seed trait variability was evaluated. Germination percentage, seed weight and bixin content showed significant variations. The highest percentage of germination was achieved by G7 followed by G21. The 100 seed weight was high in G7 followed by G18 and the lowest by G24. Content of bixin ranged from 1.5% to 0.48%. For all the qualities, the phenotypic coefficient of variation was larger than the corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation, revealing that the environment plays a major role in all the traits. Both seed weight (91%) and germination (71%) registered high heritability. For genetic advance as percent of mean, bixin content (37.79) recorded high followed by germination percentage (35.19). High heritability coupled with genetic advance suggest additive gene action and scope for further improvement in the species.