Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis in Ragi (Eleusine coracana Gaertn.)

The present study was undertaken with fifteen genotypes of Ragi (Eleusine coracane Gaertn.) with a view to assess the association between yield and yield attributing traits. The genotypes were collected from different Ragi growing states of our country. The genotypes were grown on three different dated at fifteen days interval in Randomized Block Design during summer season. Correlation studies showed that grain yield per plant was positively and significantly correlated with weight of ear per plant in all the three environments while its associations with days to 50 per cent flowering and days to maturity were negative and significant on all the three dates of sowing. Days to 50 per cent flowering showed strong positive association with days to maturity on all the sowing dates and significant positive correlation with number of effective tillers in second sowing date only. The associations between days to 50 per cent flowering and days to maturity on the one hand and weight of ear per plant in E2 and E3 environments on the other hand were significant and negative. From the path analysis it was, evident that ears per plant had maximum direct positive effect on grain yield in all the environments. Days to 50 per cent flowering had direct negative effect in E3 while direct positive effect in E1 and E2. Days to maturity had direct negative effect in E1 and E2 whereas direct positive effect in E2. The indirect effects of days to flowering and maturity via weight of ear per plant were considerable.