Correlation and path analysis in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Abstract

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is an important vegetable crop grown worldwide. For evaluating the yield potential of any variety of egg plant, it is necessary to give attention to all the yield contributing characters. It is essential to assess the degree of association of various quantitative characters in order to initiate effective selection programme. The knowledge of association of the various plant characters with yield and among themselves is required so that a rational choice of characters for selection can be exercised. An exclusively self pollinated vegetable is improved by selection. Efficiency of selection in any breeding programme mainly depends on the knowledge of association of characters. Therefore, information on the cause and effect of various yield attributes and the relative importance of their direct and indirect effects on yield are essential in crop improvement programmes. Path coefficient analysis facilitates the partitioning of correlation coefficients into direct and indirect effects of various characters on yield. The results of correlation and path analysis carried out in eggplant are presented in this paper.