Abstract
Sufficient information on the nature and magnitude of traits association will facilitate effective selection and hybridization to develop high yielding coffee progenies. The study was conducted at Metu Agricultural Research Sub Center to determine the extent of association among yield and yield related traits of coffee. Sixty four Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) germplasm including two standard check varieties (74110 and 74112) were used for this study. The field experiment was superimposed during 2018 cropping seasons on six years old coffee trees, which was laid down in 8x8 simple lattice design. The orchard was managed as per the coffee agronomic production practices. Data on 19 quantitative traits were recorded from four representative trees per row for each accession. Yield per tree exhibited significant (P<0.05) and positive phenotypic and genotypic association with fruit width (r<sub>ph</sub>=0.19; r<sub>g</sub>=0.19) and fruit thickness (r<sub>ph</sub>=0.18; r<sub>g</sub>=0.15). On the other hand, number of primary branches showed positive and significant (P<0.05) phenotypic and genotypic correlations with fruit width (r<sub>ph</sub>=0.23; r<sub>g</sub>=0.12) and fruit thickness (r<sub>ph</sub>=0.21; r<sub>g</sub>=0.07). Hence, indirect selection in favor of this trait can improve yield in coffee. Coffee berry disease mainly attacks fruits and beans, however, the disease showed negative phenotypic and genotypic correlation with fruit and bean quantitative traits. Average inter-node length of main stem, number of nodes on primary branches, Number of primary branches, fruit width and thickness, bean width and thickness and hundred beans weight exerted positive direct effect and also had positive genotypic association with yield per tree, while the other traits affected yield indirectly, mainly through average inter-node length of primary branches production. Therefore, these traits could be used as a reliable indicator in indirect selection for higher tree yield.
Highlights
Coffee is one of the most widely drunk beverages in the world, and is a very important source of foreign exchange income for many countries
Germplasm Accessions in Ethiopia understanding the magnitude of variation, correlation and inheritance of important agronomic traits in the base population is imperative to select genetically superior individuals
Path coefficient analysis partitions the genetic correlation between yield and its component traits into direct and indirect effects and has effectively been used in identifying useful traits as selection criteria to improve yield [2, 27]
Summary
Coffee is one of the most widely drunk beverages in the world, and is a very important source of foreign exchange income for many countries. Germplasm Accessions in Ethiopia understanding the magnitude of variation, correlation and inheritance of important agronomic traits in the base population is imperative to select genetically superior individuals. Path coefficient analysis partitions the genetic correlation between yield and its component traits into direct and indirect effects and has effectively been used in identifying useful traits as selection criteria to improve yield [2, 27]. It is important to have a clear understanding about the magnitudes of the relationships between yield and other agronomic traits, because yield is influenced by all factors that determine productivity [6]. Have positive correlation with yield and such traits could be used as a selection criterion for improving the productivity of the crop since they represent the lion’s share in the variability of the coffee population in the specified area [13]. The current study was conducted to understand the nature and magnitude of correlation among quantitative trait and to estimate the direct and indirect contributions other traits to yield of coffee germplasm
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