Genetic Variability, Character Association and Path Coefficient analysis in Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Abstract

Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis was studied for rhizome yield and its component characters in 30 diverse genotype of turmeric. The analysis of variance revealed the significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits indicating presence of sufficient variability among the genotypes for various traits. On the basis of the performance the accessions NVST 6, NVST 43, NVST 27, NVST 26 and Sugandhum found promising in rhizome yield. The high GCV and PCV were observed for weight of secondary rhizome per plant, weight of mother rhizome per plant, weight of primary rhizome per plant, dry rhizome yield per plant and initial weight of rhizome, Whereas, plant height, leaf width, leaf length and curcumin content showed low GCV and PCV. The high heritability combined with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for days to maturity and wet rhizome yield per plant indicated that selection may be effective for this character. The characters like weight of mother rhizomes per plant, weight of primary rhizomes per plant and weight of secondary rhizomes per plant showed significant positive correlation with wet rhizome yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic levels whereas leaf width and number of primary rhizome per plant had positive and significant correlation at genotypic level indicating that these three traits were main yield attributing traits. The path analysis indicated that weight of secondary rhizomes, weight of mother rhizomes, number of leaves per plant and plant height had maximum direct effect on rhizome yield. These characters should be used as selection criterion for further improvement of rhizome yield in turmeric