Variability, heritability and character association analysis of chemoagronomic traits in Rauwolfia serpentina

An investigation was carried out with 25 populations of Rauwolfia serpentina to assess variability, association of yield components and their direct and indirect effects on yield. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among 25 populations of R. serpentina for all the traits. Heritability estimates in broad sense were high for most of the traits and moderate for number of primary root branch. As in case of heritability, expected genetic advance was the highest for plant height, number of primary stem branch, reserpine content (%) in root, the most important trait for commercial utilization. Correlation analysis indicated positive and significant phenotypic correlation of reserpine content with root length and total alkaloid content (%) and significant negative association with root diameter. The partitioning of genotypic correlation coefficient into direct and indirect effects revealed total alkaloid content and root yield were the most important direct contributors to reserpine percent in root. It is concluded that accessions with more alkaloid content and root length are likely to yield more reserpine content in root and these characters can be considered to be reliable traits for selection of high reserpine content in root.