Variability, character association and path coefficient analysis in rat tail radish

Abstract

Twenty rat tail radish genotypes were evaluated in randomised block design with three replications. Genetic variability, heritability, correlation and path analysis for 15 traits were estimated. The highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were observed for yield per plant and number of flowers per plant in comparison to other characters, indicating the presence of high amount of genetic variability for these characters. High heritability estimates coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean were also recorded for pod yield per plant and number of flowers per plant. Secondary branches per plant had positive and significant correlations with number of clusters per plant, number of flowers per plant and yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. The path coefficient analysis revealed that the number of flowers per plant (14) had highest positive direct effect on pod yield per plant followed by number of seeds per pod (2.92) and secondary branches per plant (2.39). Therefore, greater emphasis should be given on these characters while selecting for higher yield and related traits. The genotypes MPRT-16, MPRT-17, MPRT-12 and MPRT-14 were found superior in terms of high mean values of pod yield per plant. These genotypes may further be utilized in breeding programme aimed at improving pod yield per plant in rat tail radish.