Genetic Variability, Heritability, Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis in Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) in Western Uttar Pradesh (India)

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during Rabi season in 2021-22 in randomized block design with three replications. Total 19 diverse germplasm of Amaranth were studied for 12 growth and yield parameters. Analysis of variance for 19 genotypes of Amaranthrevealed significant difference for all the 12parameters, which indicated the presence of wide spectrum of variability among the genotypes. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the respective genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the traits. High heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed for all twelve characters. The highest heritability was recorded in biological yield per plant 99.49%and lowest for days to germination 69.95%. Correlation coefficient studies indicated that genotypic correlation coefficient was found to be higher than phenotypic correlation coefficients for most of the characters, indicating a strong inherent association between various characters and due to which it is affected by environmental components in regard to phenotypic expression. Seed yield expressed highly significant and positive correlation with plant height and biological yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic level, which implies that these characters were the primer contributing factors to seed yield. All the combination of traits should be considered, while breeding programme for selecting high yielding genotypes and suitable for breeders to achieving improved plant type. Path coefficient analysis revealed that highest positive direct effect on seed yield kg per ha was observed for biological yield per plant, seed yield per plant, number of leaves per plant, days to maturity, days to germination, inflorescence length, fresh leaf weight and plant height. Improvement of these characters might be improved.