Genetic Variability, Character Association and Path Analysis of Oil Yield and its Component Characters in Wild Marigold (Tagetes minuta L.)

Genetic variability, character association and path analysis between oil yield and its contributing traits were studied in 20 genotypes of wild marigold. Highly significant differences between genotypes were recorded for most of the characters studied except for oil content in leaves and flowers. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation coupled with high heritability and moderate to high genetic gain recorded for estimated oil yield per hectare, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf yield per plot, flower yield per plot, number of flower heads per plant and plant height indicate the predominance of additive gene effects in controlling these traits. Correlation and path analysis revealed that number of flower heads per plant and oil content in flowers are overriding traits among all other growth and yield parameters, there for more emphasis should be laid upon them while designing selection indices for improvement of oil yield.