Genetic variability, character association and path analysis in Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre R. Br.)

In the present study, sixty six genotypes of Gymnema sylvestre collected from different parts of Tamil Nadu were evaluated for different quantitative characters. The phenotypic co-efficient of variation (PCV) was greater than genotypic co-efficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters studied, showing the influence of environmental factors on the characters. The traits viz., total weight of pruned shoots, leaf fresh weight and leaf dry weight showed highest PCV and GCV while the trait, leaf length had moderate PCV and GCV. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for leaf length and leaf breadth and these characters were controlled by additive gene effects, hence selection of genotypes base don these traits would be effective in the improvement of leaf yield. Correlation and path analysis showed that due importance should be given for leaf length, leaf breadth, petiole length, total weight of pruned shoots and leaf fresh weight. Hence, these traits may be considered as selection indices.