Genetic variability, correlations and path-coefficient analysis for some morphological and biochemical constituents of acid lime fruit

Abstract

Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation (GCV and PCV), heritability ( h 2), genetic advance (Gen.A) and phenotypic coefficients of correlation were estimated for morphological and biochemical characteristics of fruit in acid lime ( Citrus aurantifolia Swing), for July/August and January/February crops, with observations recorded on 27 acid lime clones/genotypes collected from diverse geographical sources within India. The estimates of GCV and PCV indicated the amenability to improvement of characteristics like fruit rind thickness, juice weight, juice volume and fruit volume. Higher h 2 and Gen.A for these characteristics also indicated that the gain under selection could be reliably predicted. The physical characteristics had significant positive correlations with each other, but had negative correlations with the biochemical characteristics. Pathcoefficient analysis revealed that the polar and equatorial diameters of fruit and the total soluble solids are the most important characteristics to be considered for effective selection in favour of thin fruit rind and high acidity in acid lime.