Correlation and path coefficient analysis for various traits in bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.] genotypes

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at the Experimental Field, Division of Vegetable Science, SKUAST-K, Shalimar during Kharief 2018. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Correlation and path analysis among different characters of thirty bottle gourd genotypes were studied. Observations revealed that fruit yield plant-1 was positively associated with traits like node number at which first male flower appeared, node number at which first female flower appeared, number of days to anthesis of first female flower, fruit diameter, dry matter content and total sugars. Moreover the traits like days to last fruit harvest and number of fruits plant-1 showed significant positive genotypic correlation with fruit yield plant-1 indicating that direct selection of these traits will be effective. Path coefficient analysis revealed appreciable amount of direct positive effects of component traits like node number at which first male flower appeared, days to anthesis of first female flower, days to last fruit harvest, number of fruits plant-1 and total sugars on fruit yield plant-1.