Studies on the genetic variability, character association and path coefficient analysis in garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Abstract

Studies on the genetic variability, character association and path coefficient analysis in Garlic was carried out at Horticultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Undagamandalam. The experiment was conducted with seventy two accessions laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) and replicated thrice. High GCV was observed for average bulb weight, number of cloves, 10 clove weight, plot yield, yield/ha and marketable yield. Low PCV was recorded for days to 50% neck fall and days to harvest. High heritability was recorded for the characters viz., leaf length, pseudostem diameter polar diameter, average bulb weight, the number of cloves, 10 clove weight, yield per plot, yield/ha and marketable yield. In the correlations study, the traits viz., plant height, the number of leaves, leaf length, pseudostem length, pseudostem diameter, equatorial diameter, polar diameter, average bulb weigh, 10 clove weight were correlated with each other which will attribute to enhance the bulb yield. Similarly in path coefficients analysis, the characters viz., plant height, the number of leaves, leaf width, pseudostem length, pseudostem diameter, polar diameter, average bulb weight, the number of cloves, 10 clove weight showed a positive direct effect on yield. Therefore from the present investigation traits viz., pseudostem diameter, polar diameter, average bulb weight, the number of cloves, 10 clove weight and yield/ha emerged as important components for selection in garlic. Keywords: Garlic, PCV, GCV, Correlation