Genetic variability, character association and path analysis for yield and yield contributing traits in peach

Genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis for yield and yield contributing traits were studied on 24 peach (Prunus persica L.)genotypes. Maximum variability recorded for TSS/acid ratio and fruit weight, however, low differences between the phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation indicated low environmental influence on the expression of these traits. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was obtained with acidity, TSS/acid ratio, fruit weight and yield per plant. Fruit weight (r = 0.797), fruit length (r = 0.481), fruit diameter (r = 0.559), fruit pulp thickness (r = 0.630) and stone diameter (r = 0.352) were the most important traits, which possessed significant positive association with fruit yield per plant. Path coefficient analysis revealed that among the different yield contributing traits, fruit weight (0.9786) followed by TSS (0.299), fruit pulp thickness (0.211), stone diameter (0.1933) and ascorbic acid (0.0028) influenced fruit yield per plant directly. The direct effects of these traits on fruit yield were found positive and considerably high. Moreover, fruit length, fruit diameter had positive and higher indirect effect on fruit yield through fruit weight. Selection for fruit yield in peach through these traits will be effective and helpful in future improvement programmes.