Association and path coefficient analysis for growth, pod and oil characters in moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) genotypes

Abstract

The correlation studies in thirty four moringa genotypes indicated strong association of number of pods/ tree, number of seeds /pod, pod length, seed yield/ tree, 100 - seed weight and seed oil content with oil yield/ tree. The genotypic correlation coefficients estimated for various traits were of higher magnitude than phenotypic correlations. The difference between genotypic and phenotypic correlations was in general low, indicating the least influence of environment on these characters. The highest positive direct effect was recorded by seed yield/ tree, followed by seed oil content, number of pods/ tree, 100 - seed weight, tree height and pod length indicating their relationship and selection based on these traits will be highly desirable. Among the characters, negative direct effect was recorded by seeds/ pod. Positive indirect effects of seed yield/ tree via number of pods/ tree, number of seeds/pod, tree height, 100 - seed weight and seed oil content were found to be high and indirect selection through seed yield/ tree will lead to oil yield improvement.