Genetic Correlation and Path-coefficient Analysis of Oil Yield and its Components in Castor

Relationship between castor oil yield and seven agronomic characters were studied in 28 selected castor genotypes. Results indicated that the genotypic correlations generally showed more significant differences between the pairs of characters than the phenotypic correlations. 100 - seed weight showed significant positive genotypic and phenotypic correlations with oil yield per plant. The path analysis also revealed that 100 - seed weight had a positive highly significant correlation with as well as a high direct effect on oil yield per plant. Apart from this, 100 - seed weight also influenced the effects of other characters indirectly on their effects on oil yield per plant thus suggesting that 100 - seed weight is undoubtedly the most reliable character to select for in castor oil yield improvement to improve oil yield of castor populations.