Character association and path analysis for fruit chromatic, physicochemical and yield attributes in mango (Mangifera indica)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted during the year of 2014 and 2015 to determine the genotypic and phenotypic correlation along with their direct and indirect effects through path coefficients analysis and to estimate the contribution of most important traits towards fruit quality and yield in mango. The genotypic correlation values were recorded higher than their corresponding phenotypic value in 60 diverse mango genotypes grown at ICARIARI, New Delhi. The result suggests that there were strong inherent relationship between the traits. The a* (r2 = 0.179, 0.178), fruit weight (r2 = 0.236, 0.234), fruit length (r2 = 0.371, 0.370), fruit diameter (r2 = 0.393. 0.391), fruit width (0.366, 0.361), titrable acidity (r2 = 0.273, 0.272), stone weight (0.329, 0.328), stone length (r2 = 0.351, 0.347), stone diameter (r2= 0.249, 0.248), stone width (r2 = 0.278, 0.272) and peel weight (r2 = 0.370, 0.365) showed positive association with yield both at genotypic and phenotypic levels, respectively. At genotypic level, the highest positive direct effect was exhibited via fruit weight (5.74) followed by b* (1.006), peel % (0.685), stone length (0.292), fruit diameter (0.259), titrable acidity (0.159), pulp: stone (0.143), fruit shape index and ascorbic acid (0.067), stone diameter and stone width (0.053) on yield. The residual effects of genetic and phenotypic path analysis were 0.24 and 0.32 on fruit yield was not much higher side and revealed higher genetic variability, supports lower degree of environmental influence on the selected traits. In combination with correlation coefficient and path analysis, it was found that fruit weight, fruit diameter, stone length, stone diameter and titrable acidity exhibited significant positive correlation coefficients with yield and also induced the high positive direct effect. Thus, results affirmed that fruit weight, fruit diameter, stone length, stone diameter and titrable acidity are the major components of fruit yield and to be considered in mango improvement programme.