Correlation coefficient analysis in Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus)

Abstract

Field study was carried out during kharif 2009-10 and 2010-11 at Nagarjun Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Garden, Dr. PDKV, Akola (M.S.), India. The fertility status of the soil was moderate in organic carbon, low in available nitrogen and available phosphorus and very high in available potassium while the soil micronutrient contents (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu) were above the critical level. Experiment comprised of thirteen treatments replicated thrice in randomized block design, involving control (no fertilizer/manure), 5 t FYM ha-1, 10 t FYM ha-1, 80:20:40 kg NPK ha-1, 100:30:60 kg NPK ha-1, 140:40:80 kg NPK ha-1, 5 t FYM + 80:20:40 kg NPK ha-1, 5 t FYM + 100:30:60 kg NPK ha-1, 5 t FYM + 140:40:80 kg NPK ha-1, 10 t FYM + 80:20:40 kg NPK ha-1, 10 t FYM + 100:30:60 kg NPK ha-1, 10 t FYM + 140:40:80 kg NPK ha-1 and 100 kg N through FYM (based on FYM analysis). Correlation coefficient worked out for parameters viz., plant height, number of tillers, dry matter yield, oil content and total uptake of nutrients (N, P, K, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) with herbage yield observed to be highly significant for almost all the parameters studied, indicating the strong association with herbage yield. Similarly, the path coefficient analysis was also being performed and the data revealed that Fe uptake exhibited highest positive direct effect (21.398) on herbage yield of Java citronella followed by Cu uptake and K uptake, whereas Mn uptake exhibited the second highest direct effect (-21.171) but the magnitude is in negative direction, indicating that its contribution in herbage yield is through the indirect effect exerted via Fe uptake, Cu uptake, K uptake and P uptake. From the results, it can be concluded that the Fe uptake has expressed the highest positive influence on herbage yield of Java citronella directly as well as indirectly via other parameters.