Studies on Correlation and Path Analysis in Segregating Population of Mangalore Melon (Cucucmis melo var. acidulus) Derived from the Inter-Varietal Cross MS 78 x RNMS-1

Abstract

Correlation and path coefficients analysis can help to assess the mutual relationship between various plant characters and determines component characters on which selection can be based or improvement in yield. 260 Mangalore melon vines were evaluated for yield contributing characters to observe their associations, direct and indirect effect on fruit yield per vine at College of Horticulture, Bagalkot during summer 2021-2022. The study revealed that fruit yield per plant had significant positive correlation number of female flowers, fruit length, fruit width, number of fruits per vine, fruit weight, flesh thickness, seed cavity width and seed cavity length which are important characters to be accounted for gaining improvement in yield. Path analysis revealed that fruit weight exhibited highest positive direct effect on fruit yield per vine followed by flesh thickness, number of fruits per vine, seed cavity length and so on.