Genetic Parameters, Character Association and Path Analysis for Fruit Yield and its Component Characters in Mango (Mangifera indicaL.)

Abstract

The nature and genetic parameters were assessed to select superior genotypes of mango (Mangifera indica L.) for sub-mountain region of Punjab (India). The moderate estimates (>7.0%) of genotypic co-efficient of variation (GCV) recorded for fruit yield/plant (11.70), fruit weight (7.18), pulp weight (8.73) and peel weight (9.69) signified the presence of adequate variation among the genotypes. Physical fruit attributes viz. fruit yield/tree, fruit weight, pulp weight and peel weight had substantially higher heritability estimates coupled with high genetic advance and confirmed that these traits are under the control of additive gene action hence phenotypic selection for their improvement may be effective. Estimates of correlation co-efficient showed positive significant association of fruit yield/plant with fruit breadth (0.72) and fruit weight (0.66), while it was negatively associated with acidity (−0.076). Path analysis revealed that fruit weight (1.60) and fruit breadth (0.41) had moderately higher direct effects on fruit yield. Fruit weight showed indirect contribution via all the traits except fruit juice acid content signifying that fruit weight is the major contributor towards fruit yield/plant. The scope of further improvement of mango cultivars under Punjab conditions has been discussed.