Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis in Moringa (Moringa oleifera L.)

Analysis of variance indicated that there is an existence of significant variability among the twenty accessions for all the characters under study. The highest GCV was recorded for pod weight, number of leaves per rachis, yield per plant. Heritability estimates were high for pod weight, yield per plant, number of pods per plant, length of pod, and number of leaves per rachis. The expected genetic advance as a percentage of mean was high for pod weight, number of leaves per rachis, yield per plant, length of pod, number of seed per pod. Yield per plant had significant and positive association with stem girth fruit setting percentage length of pod girth pod weight and number of pods per plant indicating their usefulness in selection for yield. non-significant and negative association with plant height leaf length number of leaves per rachis length of leaf rachis number of flower per inflorescence number of seeds per pod. Among the twelve characters studied, six characters viz., by plant height leaf length number of leaves per rachis number of flowers per inflorescence pod weight and number of seeds per pod showed positive direct effect on yield per plant. Negative direct effect on yield per plant was recorded by stem girth length of leaf rachis fruit setting percentage length of pod pod girth number of pods per plant.