Assessment of genetic variability and genotypic correlation analysis for yield and yield associate traits of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) genotypes

The present investigation entitled 'Variability studies of Lotus genotypes (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn)’ was undertaken with a view to study the magnitude of variation and association for yield and to identify promising genotypes. The experimental material comprising of 20 genotypes and the data was recorded on thirty two morphological traits. The experiment was conducted using completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Sufficient genetic variability was observed for all the characters. The genetic parameter analysis revealed the importance of number of flowers plant-1, number of seed pod-1, weight of flower, diameter of flower and vibrant flower color for selection of better individual genotype across the lotus genotypes based on the genotypic coefficient of variance, phonotypic coefficient of variance, heritability and genetic advance. The genotypic correlation coefficient was significantly and positivity correlated with characters, leaf area, number petals flower-1, number seed per pod-1. and therefore number of flower plant-1 can be improved in lotus by improving these traits. Similarly weight of flower can be improved by improving the number of seed pod as they exhibited the positive significant correlation.