Association and path coefficient analysis for growth, pod and oil characters in moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) genotypes

The correlation studies in 34 moringa genotypes indicated strong association of number of pods/tree, number of seeds /pod, pod length, seed yield/tree, 100-seed weight and seed oil content with oil yield/tree. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients estimated for various traits indicated higher magnitude of genotypic correlations than phenotypic correlations. The difference between genotypic and phenotypic correlations was in general low, indicating the least influence of environment on these traits. The highest positive direct effect was recorded by seed yield/tree, followed by seed oil content, number of pods/tree, 100-seed weight, tree height and pod length indicating their relationship and selection based on these traits would be highly desirable. Among the traits, negative direct effect was recorded by seeds/pod. Positive indirect effects of seed yield/tree via number of pods/tree, number of seeds/pod, tree height, 100-seed weight and seed oil content were found to be high and indirect selection through seed yield/tree is expected lead to oil yield improvement.