Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding

The yield is a complex trait and indirect selection through correlated, less complex and easy measurement traits would be an advisable strategy to increase yield. To assess artichoke genetic variation for different agronomic traits, the phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients among these traits and the direct and indirect effects of these traits on the total yield, 10 half-sib families were used. Total yield recorded positive genotypic correlation with number of heads and the length, diameter and weight of heads. Number of head and their weight had direct positive contribution towards total yield per plant. Indirect effect of plant diameter and length and weight of head, on number of heads plant height, are shown. These results allow us to select materials with high yields by choosing those with a large diameter of plant and upper length of main head.