Phenotypic correlation and path coefficient analysis on canola under drought stress conditions [electronic resource].

Includes reference.

Correlation coefficiients and path coefficient analysis were computed among all pairs of studied characters i.e., Days to 50% flowering, Plant height (cm), Number of branches/plant, No. of heads/plant, No. of silliqua/plant, I000-seed weight (g), Seed yield/plant (g), Seed yield t/fed., Seed oil content (%), Oil yield (t/ fed.) and water use efficiency. Six parents and 15 F1 genotypes of canola grown under water stress conditions in 2004/2005 season at Regwa Company Farm, 62 Kilometers, from Cairo Desert road, under three watering regimes intervals(irrigation every 3, 6 and 9 days). Path coefficient analysis was made on the basis of correlation coefficient taking seed yield/plant as y and the rest characters as x1,x2,xn. Results from the correlation showed that the following traits; number of branches/plant, number of heads/plant, 1000 seed weight, oil yield t./fed. and water use efficiency are the most effective characters and could be used in breeding programs for screening and identifying the most drought tolerant genotypes, since these traits are positively correlated with grain yield under the three irrigation intervals used. While, path coefficient analysis studied under different irrigation treatments indicated that number of siliqua/plant, number of heads/plant and 1000 seed weight could be used as selection criteria for screening and isolating high yielding and tolerant genotypes under stress conditions, while selection to grain yield is difficult due to its low heritability resulting from variation in intensity of stress.

Summary in arabic.

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