Trait association studies in globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa L.) genotypes

A study was conducted using 17 Gomphrena genotypes to investigate the rapport of yield traits and their direct and indirect impacts on flower production. Correlation studies revealed that at genotypic level, flower yield per plant recorded significant and positive connotation with number of flowers per plant (0.990) which was accompanied by traits like primary branches per plant (0.848), stem girth (0.835), plant height (0.829), secondary branches (0.812), shelf life (0.742), flowering duration (0.722), inflorescence length (0.718), plant spread in N-S direction (0.685), first flowering (days) (0.671), plant spread in E-W direction (0.667), individual flower weight (0.648), stalk length (0.606) and other traits. Path analysis disclosed that the number of flowers per plant (1.140) had the highest and positive direct impact on flower yield per single plant, followed by the days to first flowering (0.346), individual flower weight (0.217), plant height (0.189), primary branches per plant (0.168), days to 50 percent flowering (0.137), secondary branches (0.127), plant spread (0.006) and inflorescence length (0.002). These traits, especially the number of flowers per plant and primary branches plant, can be chosen as a key indicator for selection criteria along with other traits in Gomphrena breeding programme.