DefinePK

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to develop path index using the relationship of contributing traits and cane yield. Development of path indices using linear regression equation followed by path analysis tells about the relationship of the dependent and independent parameters and better performing genotype can be selected. The study was conducted at sugar crops research institute Mardan during 2012-13 and 2013-14 on two plant crops. The experiments were arranged in RCB Design with three replications using 14 sugarcane genotypes with two check cultivars (Mardan-93 and CP/77-400). Path analysis showed that number of millablecane (0.39), internodes length (0.32), number of nodes (0.14), plant height (0.13) and number of tillers (0.12) had the direct positive effect on cane yield on phenotypic level. In case of genotypic level number of millablecane (0.63), plant height (0.42) and number of tillers (0.21) had the highest direct positive effect on cane yield. This showed that these characters are the most essential constituents of cane yield. Genotype MS-91-CP-523(240.39) followed by S-92-US-72 (205.21) have the highest path index values and performed better than the rest of the genotype. The parameters having direct effect on cane yield must be given more importance in the breeding and selection strategies. Research should be focused on the selection of genotypes which has good performance both under plant and ratoon crops conditions. The genotypes with good performance may be tested further.
Keywords: Direct and indirect effect; Path coefficients; Plant crop; Selection criteria
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2021.100113