Genetic Association Analysis in Asiatic Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability, expected genetic advance and character association of root weight and its contributing characters were studied in 18 diverse genotypes of Asiatic radish (Raphanus sativus L.) at Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi during spring/summer season 2000–2001. Wide range of genetic variability was observed in all the 18 genotypes of the radish for almost all characters. Relatively high genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were recorded for leaf size, leaf weight/plant, leaf length, root size and leaf: root weight ratio. Leaf length, leaf size, leaf weight/plant, leaf: root length ratio and leaf: root weight ratio has high genetic advance as percent of mean alongwith high heritability. Correlation studied revealed that root weight should positively and significantly correlated with plant height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf size, leaf weight/plant, root length, root thickness, root size and leaf: root weight ratio, while negative and significant correlation were found with root shape at both phenotypic and genotypic levels. The characters viz. leaf weight, leaf length and root length showed strong positive direct effects while number of leaves/plant, root thickness and leaf size had less direct effects or root weight.