Character association and path analysis in hip rose (Rosa sp.) genotypes collected from North Western Himalayan region of Kashmir

Abstract

Thirty six genotypes of hip rose (Rosa sp.) collected from different areas of Kashmir valley and studied for nine polygenic characters. These revealed higher PCV than corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for plant height, fruit yield, fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit length, pulp content, pulp to seed ratio, TSS and number of seeds. High heritability accompanied by moderate to high genetic gain and GCV were observed for plant height and yield which could be improved by selection in early generations. Fruit diameter (74.2%), fruit length (80.4%), fruit weight (79.9%) exhibited high heritability coupled with moderate GCV and low genetic gain which needs selection over several successive generations following hybridization for their edification. Genotypic correlations were of higher magnitude to the corresponding phenotypic ones, thereby establishing strong inherent relationship among the characters studied. The phenotypic and genotypic associations of fruit diameter was significantly positive with fruit weight (r = 0.337, 0.418), fruit pulp weight (r = 0.429, 0.507), number of seeds per fruit (r = 0.259, 0.0.406) and plant height (r = 384, 0.417). However, fruit length were significantly linked with fruit weight, pulp weight and fruit flesh ratio. Overall path analysis indicated that highest positive direct effect was showed by average fruit weight (6.694) followed by fruit flesh ratio (3.103), number of seeds per fruit (1.201), plant height (0.993), and fruit length (0.426); however, fruit diameter (-0.327), pulp weight (-8.319) and TSS (-0.529) showed negative direct effects on total hips yield which should be considered simultaneously for amenability in rose hips yield in Rosa species. Key words: Character association, Rosa sp., path analysis, North Western Himalayan, Kashmir.