Phenotypic and genotypic relationships between traits in saffron (Crocus sativus L.) as revealed by path analysis

Abstract

To study and assess the phenotypic and genotypic variations between different saffron ecotypes and the phenotypic/genotypic relationships between yield and yield components of saffron flower a split plot experiment in randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at the agricultural research station of Urmia University, Urmia, Iran during 2011-13 cropping years. 15 traits of yield and yield components of saffron flower were measured such as: Fresh Stigma Weight, Dry Stigma Weight and Stigma Length. The results showed that genetic variances were much higher than phenotypic variances for more traits. Fresh and dry leaf weight (94 and 95% respectively) and dry stigma yield (94%) had the highest heritability between traits. It became also very clear that these traits had the highest genetic diversity. Results of the correlation coefficients showed that the phenotypic correlations were higher than the genotypic correlations for almost of all traits. Traits daughter corm number (0.98), flower number (0.97), dry and fresh daughter corm weight (0.96 and 0.95, respectively) and dry stigma weight had the highest genotypic correlation with dry stigma yield. Phenotypic and genotypic path analysis determined that fresh and dry stigma weight, flower number, leaf width and dry flower weight had the highest positive direct effects on dry stigma yield. In general, with the purpose of the study and assessments to genotypic correlation coefficients, genetic parameters and genotypic direct and indirect effects, we can conclude that traits flower number, leaf number, weight and number of daughter corm were the most effective traits and had the highest positive impacts on the saffron yield. Therefore, with the phenotypic selection of saffron ecotypes in respect of these traits the saffron yield can be increased.