Association and path analysis in marigold (Tagetes spp.) genotypes under drought stress conditions

Abstract

Thirty-two genotypes of marigold were collected and used for evaluating of correlation co-efficient and path analysis. Based on correlation and path coefficient analyses of 12 characters, results revealed that selection should be primarily, based on the component characters which exhibited significant positive correlation with yield and also had either direct or indirect effect on yield. In the present study, results strongly confirmed the reliability of the characters viz., number of branches per plant, number of flowers per plant, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, root-shoot ratio and single flower weight as they have a high direct effect on yield per plant and also possess strong positive and significant association with yield which aids in breeding of marigold genotypes that can tolerate drought stress and simultaneously perform well in terms of flower yield under drought stress conditions. Thus, the above characters should be given a prime importance during selection in marigold breeding programme.