Evaluating correlation coefficients of mango (Mangifera indica L.) genotypes from western Uttar Pradesh

The present investigation was carried out during 2021-22 and 2022-23 at Horticultural Research Centre, SVPUAT, Meerut, using twelve mango genotypes in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four replications. Phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients were computed using pooled data to determine interrelationships among morphological and biochemical traits of different genotypes in Mango. Phenotypically, fruit weight exhibited strong, positive and significant correlations with fruit pulp weight (0.915**), stone weight (0.783**), kernel weight (0.731**), fruit length (0.719**) and fruit width (0.674**), suggesting these traits can be considered for direct selection. Similarly, fruit pulp weight correlated positively with fruit length (0.732**), kernel weight (0.762**) and TSS (0.598**), while TSS showed strong association with fruit length (0.695**), pulp weight (0.582**) and kernel weight (0.412**). Total sugar was positively correlated with non-reducing sugar (0.812**), TSS (0.728**) and reducing sugar (0.395**), indicating a close biochemical interdependence in fruit quality. At the genotypic level, even stronger correlations were evident for many trait combinations. For instance, fruit weight with pulp weight (0.952**), kernel weight (0.749**) and fruit length (0.764**) were highly significant. Likewise, total sugar showed strong genotypic correlations with non-reducing sugar (0.870**) and TSS (0.776**). These results confirm that phenotypic correlations, complemented by genotypic values, serve as a practical guide for breeders. Traits such as fruit pulp weight, kernel weight, fruit length and TSS should be prioritized in selection programs to achieve simultaneous genetic improvement in both yield and fruit quality in mango.