Correlation and path analysis to ascertain interrelationships among yield and yield contributing traits in ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L)

Abstract

A study evaluating the correlation coefficient and path analysis of yield and 15 yield contributing traits of 65 genotypes of
ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L) was carried out at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka. Estimation of
genotypic correlation coefficient was always higher than corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficient. Correlation
analysis revealed links of node of first male flower, male flower per plant, female flower per plant, fruits per plant, fruit
weight (g), fruit length (cm), fruit width (cm), and seeds per fruit with yield per plant (kg) as positive and statistically
significant at both the genotypic and phenotypic levels. In path analysis, fruits per plant, male flower per plant, fruit weight
(g), fruit length (cm), 100 seed weight (g) showed direct positive effect on yield per plant (kg) with highly significant positive
correlation at genotypic level. In contrary, male female flower ratio, node of first female flower, days to male flowering,
female flower per plant showed negative direct effect on yield per plant. traits male female flower ratio, female flowers per
plant, fruits per plant, fruit weight (g), fruit length (cm), node of first female flower, and seeds per fruit had a direct impact
on yield per plant (kg) and a high positive correlation. Thus according to correlation coefficient and path analysis, selection
based on the traits fruit would be fruitful for an efficient breeding strategy for producing superior hybrids in ridge gourds.