Genetic Variability, Associations, and Path Analysis among Most Economic Traits in Red Sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

Abstract

Nature and amount of genetic variability, associations, and path coefficients were studied in the six traits of 45 genotypes of red sorrel. All the traits showed high heritability except medium for branches/plant (73.94), calyx yield (67.54 %), and low for seed yield (i.e., 41.85%), the highest being for days to flowers 50% (98.12 %) and lowest for seed yield/plot (41.85%). Seed yield/plot was significantly and positively correlated with plant height but negatively correlated with days to flower 50%. Fresh calyx yield is positively correlated with days to flower 50% followed by plant height, and branches/plant exhibited same trends at both genotypic and phenotypic level. However, only plant height and fresh calyx yield made the highest amount of direct and indirect contribution to seed yield/plot. Therefore, plant height and β-carotene serve as better selection criteria to improve red sorrel crop.

KEYWORDS:

• Co-heritability
• genetic associations
• genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variations
• heritability
• path coefficients