Correlation and path coefficient studies in garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Abstract

Character association and path analysis in one fifty genotypically diverse indigenous genotypes of garlic (Allium sativum L.) were evaluated at Vegetable Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during the year 2016-17 for fifteen important characters. Bulb yield (kg/ha) exhibited positive and significant association with plant height, number of leaves per plant, days to maturity, bulb polar diameter, bulb weight, number of cloves per bulb, clove length and pseudo stem height at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis provides an effective means of critical examination of specific force of action to produce a given correlation and measure the relative importance of each factor. In this analysis bulb yield was taken as dependent variable and rest of the characters were considered as independent variables. The phenotypic path coefficient analysis revealed that positive and maximum direct effect on bulb yield was exerted by number of cloves per bulb followed by bulb weight, total soluble solids, days to maturity, pseudo stem height, number of leaves per plant, leaf width at middle portion, plant height and clove weight. These characters turned out to be major components of bulb yield. Considerable amount of indirect effects via bulb weight was observed for bulb polar diameter, number of cloves per bulb, clove weight, clove length and pseudo stem height.