Correlation and path analysis studies in seed quality and storability characteristics of Pongamia genotypes

Abstract

Pongamia is an important source for biodiesel production. As it is propagated only though seed, seed storage behaviour plays a major role in deciding the success of any afforestation programme. Keeping this in view, an experiment was conducted during 2014 and 2015 to find out correlations among twenty four pongamia genotypes for sixteen seed storability traits. Fifteen traits have a positive significant correlation with seed storability at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. The genotypic correlation coefficient values were recorded to be higher than corresponding phenotypic values. Seed storability trait expressed positive significant correlation with all fourteen traits, except with the number of simple leaves. Initial seed quality traits like seed germination, speed of germination and number of trifoliate leaves and storability traits like speed of germination, seedling length, seedling dry weight, seedling vigour index-I and number of trifoliate leaves after seed storage showed positive direct effect on pongamia seed storability both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Seedling vigour index- II and seedling length before storage showed direct negative effect on pongamia seed storability at both genotypic and phenotypic association levels. Hence, it is revealed that the selection and breeding on the basis of traits that show positive direct effect may aid in the tree improvement programmes of the species for high seed storability in pongamia.

Keywords

• pongamia
• correlation
• path
• seed storability