Correlation and Path Coefficient analysis in Onion (Allium cepa L.) Germplasm under Western Uttar Pradesh Conditions

The present investigation was carried out at Horticulture Research Centre (HRC) of SVPUAT, Meerut, U.P, 2020-21 and 2021-22, to study the correlation and path coefficient analysis among 10 germplasm of Onion (Allium cepa .L) genotypes based on morphological characters. The experiment was laid down in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. Analysis of variance for 10 genotypes of Onion revealed significant difference for all the 9 parameters, which indicated the presence of wide spectrum of variability among the genotypes. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the respective genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the traits. High heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed for all nine characters. The highest heritability was recorded in Yield per ha (98.07%) and lowest for Bulb Diameter (71.66%). Correlation coefficient studies indicated that genotypic correlation coefficient was found to be higher than phenotypic correlation coefficients for most of the characters, indicating a strong inherent association between various characters and due to which it is affected by environmental components in regard to phenotypic expression. Yield per (q) ha expressed highly significant and positive correlation with seed yield per plot (kg) Path coefficient analysis revealed that highest positive direct effect on yield per ha (q), was observed for yield per plot per (kg), height of the plant (cm),fresh bulb wight (gm), bulb diameter(cm) and no. of leaf plant observed very high which indicates that these characters play the significant role to increase the yield per ha(q).High but negative direct effect exhibited by leaf length ,dry bulb weight and duration of crop(days) on yield kg per ha (q) at genotypic level, therefore these characters may be selected for onion crop improvement.