Correlation and Path Analysis for Yield and Yield Attributing Character in Garlic

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) yield is associated with several morphological, bulb and quality traits. The present study was conducted to assess the associations between yield and quality traits in garlic (Allium sativum L.) using phenotypic and genotypic correlation analyses and path coefficient analysis. Fifteen traits, viz., number of leaves per plant, leaf length, plant height, neck thickness, bulb weight, bulb length, bulb diameter, weight of 10 cloves, number of cloves per bulb, yield per hectare, days required for harvest, total soluble solids, dry matter, titratable acidity and yield per plot, were evaluated. At the phenotypic level, yield per plot showed significant positive correlations with plant height (0.194), bulb weight (0.585), bulb length (0.306), bulb diameter (0.499), weight of 10 cloves (0.358), number of cloves per bulb (0.136), yield per hectare (0.674), TSS (0.117) and titratable acidity (0.213), while neck thickness (-0.335) and days required for harvest (-0.369) exhibited significant negative associations. At the genotypic level, stronger positive correlations were observed with bulb weight (0.843), yield per hectare (0.667), weight of 10 cloves (0.642), bulb diameter (0.480), number of cloves per bulb (0.415), bulb length (0.214), TSS (0.209), dry matter (0.220) and leaf length (0.243). Path analysis revealed high positive direct effects of bulb weight (0.369), bulb length (0.342), bulb diameter (0.310), weight of 10 cloves (0.332), number of cloves per bulb (0.242) and yield per hectare (0.171) at the genotypic level. At the phenotypic level, bulb weight recorded the highest direct effect (0.534), followed by bulb length (0.492), yield per hectare (0.325) and TSS (0.308). The results indicate that bulb weight, bulb diameter, bulb length, weight of 10 cloves and yield per hectare are important selection criteria for improving yield in garlic.