Correlation and path coefficient analysis in anthurium

Genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients and path-coefficient analysis were carried out in anthurium using 14 cultivars for 15 quantitative characters. The estimate of genotypic correlation coefficient was higher than the corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficient both for vegetative and floral characters. Among the vegetative characters, the number of suckers per plant was found to be positively and significantly associated with number of leaves per plant, leaf fresh weight and plant spread. Path-coefficient analysis at genotypic level revealed that leaf fresh weight, number of leaves per plant and leaf area had a high positive direct effect on sucker yield. Among the floral characters, spathe size, shelf-life of flower on plant, peduncle length and number of coils per spadix had a strong and positive association with number of flowers per plant. In path analysis, time taken for flowering had high positive direct effects on flower yield per plant. Hence, a selection index comprising the characters like number of leaves per plant, leaf fresh weight and plant spread on sucker yield and the characters like spathe size, shelf-life of flower on plant, peduncle length and number of coils per spadix on flower yield can be considered highly dependable and reliable characters for selection to improve yield in anthurium.