Genetic Variability, Correlation Coefficient and Path Coefficient Analysis among Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton Germplasm for Seed Oil Yield Related Traits in Uttarakhand, India

Background: Perilla [Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton] commonly known as Bhangjeera, belongs to family Lamiaceae, is an annual plant contains significant phyto-constituents. This is traditionally used as an herbal medicine to treat various disorders. Despite the Perilla’s huge potential, no concerted attempts have been undertaken to diversify for selection of parents in genetic improvement programme both globally and in our country. Methods: The experiment was arranged in a Latin square design with three replications on the experimental farm. Data were collected from five randomly selected plants in each plot, excluding border plants. The mean values were analyzed statistically to determine the analysis of variance for all the traits to decipher the nature and magnitude of genetic variability and other genetic parameters in Perilla. Result: The studies shows significant variation among the studied genotypes for all characters. Among the studied germplasm, PF 7 was found to be superior for most of oil yielding related traits followed by PF4 and PF2. All characters showed high heritability accompanied by low to high genetic advance as percent of mean. These characters showed medium to high GCV and PCV. Genotypic correlation co-efficient were found to be higher than their corresponding phenotypic ones. Path coefficient analysis revealed positive direct effect of plant height, length of petiole, leaf breath, stem girth, length of inflorescence and total phenolic content on seed oil yield. The direct selection for these traits will be beneficial in yield improvement program. Therefore, it was suggested that tall and bushy plants with thick stem with long inflorescence are likely to produce high seed oil yield with unsaturated fatty acids, beneficial for human health.