Character Association and Path Coefficient Analysis in Grain Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.)

Twenty-two genotypes of amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) were evaluated for 12 quantitative traits for two years and the pooled data was analyzed. The mean, range, genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability in broad sense and genetic advance were calculated. Path coefficient analysis was carried out using correlation coefficients to know the yield-contributing traits having true associations with seed yield. The low differences between the phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variations indicated low environmental influences on the expression of the traits studied. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance for yield/day to maturity, yield/day to seed fill, harvest index, panicle girth and seed yield/plant was observed. All the traits except days to seed fill possessed positive association with grain yield. Harvest index was positively correlated with days to maturity. Harvest index, aerial biomass/plant and days to maturity also had high phenotypic and genotypic direct effects on seed yield/plant, revealing that indirect selection for these traits would be effective in improving seed yield.

The characters yield/day to maturity, yield/day to seed fill, harvest index, panicle girth and seed yield/plant showed high heritability coupled with high genetic advance

The path coefficient analysis revealed harvest index, panicle girth, aerial biomass/plant and days to maturity as the most important yield component traits that should be taken into account while formulating selection strategies in amaranth.