PATH COEFFICIENT ANALYSIS FOR SEEDLING VIGOUR IN RADISH (Raphanus sativus L.) GENOTYPES

The field study was conducted during 2010 and 2011 to assess the genetic variability, inter relationships and direct and indirect effects of component traits on seedling vigour in radish. High PCV values were obtained in FW (32.68%), SVI I (32.43%) and germination % (30.84%). Magnitude of heritability was highest for SVI II (92.00%) followed by germination (89.45%), 100 SW (84.90%), ASL (83.16%) and SVI I (79.27%). SVI II showed positive and highly significant association with germination %, ASL, seedling FW, DW, 100 SW and SVI I. Path analysis indicated positive direct effect of SVI I, shoot length and 100 seed weight on seedling vigour index II of different radish genotypes. The seedling vigour index I, shoot length, 100 seed weight and germination % exhibited strong positive correlation and positive or negative direct effects on seedling vigour index II emerged as important components contributing to seedling vigour. Therefore, selection primarily based on these traits may lead to identification and development of genotypes having better field emergence and seedling establishment.