International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology

  • Year: 2015
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue: 2

Correlation and association of characters in Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) from Kerala part of Peninsular India

1Department of Genetics and Tree Breeding, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala-680 653, India

2Extension and Training Division, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala-680 653, India

3Genetics and Plant Breeding Division, Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala-673635, India

Abstract

Selection of appropriate genotypes based on characters that show good genetic strength is a very important tool in crop improvement since selection could not be carried out based on all characters. Study of interrelationship and association of characters is essential to identify the variables which show maximum relationship with others. Correlation analysis was carried out presently in the case of 12 morphometric characters in vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) so as to study the relationship between them. The present study revealed varying degrees of interrelationship between the morphometric characters studied. Character association was also studied so as to group the characters based on gene sharing and to identify the lead characters that could be used in further breeding programmes. Plant height showed the highest factor loading followed by leaf breadth, root length, leaves per tiller and fresh root weight showing their higher contribution towards the variability of the population and their usability in breeding programmes as lead characters.

Correlation of the characters and association of agronomic characters have been studied in 14 varieties of Vetiveria zizanioides.

Character association leads to grouping the characters based on gene sharing.

Characters showing highest factor loading contribute maximum variability of the population and these characters can be used in further selection programmes.

Agronomic characters of plants show different levels of association since they are polygenic.

Keywords

Vetiver, genotypes, interrelationship, correlation analysis, morphometric characters