Path coefficient analysis of yield and yield components in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) germplasm

Abstract

A total of 216 germplasms with six check varieties of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) were evaluated for estimation of path analysis for yield improvement during Rabi season 2016-17 in augmented randomized complete block design in four blocks at Research Farm, SKN college of agriculture, Jobner. Path coefficient analysis revealed that test weight, umbellets per plant, seeds per umbel and umbels per plant exhibited positive direct effect on seed yield per plant, while plant height, days to maturity, days to 50 percent flowering and branches per plant exhibit negative direct effect on seed yield per plant. Out of 216 genotypes, 14 genotypes were better than the best check variety RF-125 on the basis of seed yield per plant. Some of the promising genotypes identified on the basis of seed yield per plant were UF-4, UF-16, UF-20, UF-23, UF-55, UF-61, UF-79, UF-88, UF-145, UF-149, UF-151, UF-168, UF-172 and UF-189. Therefore, it is inferred that for initiating breeding programmes of fennel, the primary emphasis should be given for selecting characters having direct effects on characters associated with higher yield. These superior genotypes can be used as donors in breeding programme.