Multivariate Analysis for Yield and Yield Contributing Traits in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Forty four genotypes of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) obtained from the breeding stock of AICRP-Potato were grown in Randomized Complete Block Deign (RBD) with three replications planted on 6th November 2008. Data collected on tuber yield and its components were subjected for analysis of variability parameters, correlation coefficient, path analysis and genetic divergence. The estimates of analysis of variance were significant for the all parameters except number of shoots plant-1, number of compound leaves plant-1 and marketable tuber yield q ha-1. The analysis of genetic variance revealed that the sufficient variability was present in experimental material. The Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was slightly higher in magnitude than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the parameters. The high heritability estimates in broad sense was recorded in fresh weight of shoots plant-1, harvest index (%), unmarketable tubers yield (kg plant-1), tuber dry matter plant-1, per cent emergence, total number of leaves plant-1, fresh weight of tubers plant-1, total yield plot-1, plant height anddry weight of shoots plant-1. The high heritability estimates coupled withhigh genetic advance was recordedfor the parameters unmarketable tuber yield plant-1 and total tuber yield (kg plot-1). The tuber yield showed positive and highly significant association with marketable tuber yield plant-1. Whereas total tuber yield plant-1 was positively correlated with per cent plant emergence, number of tubers plant-1 and freshweightof tubersplant-1. Path coefficient analysis revealed that marketable yield plot-1, unmarketable yield plot-1, plant height, number of shoots plant-1, fresh weight of shoots plant-1, number of compound leaves plant-1 and number of tubers plant-1 had high positive and direct influence on total tuber yield. All the forty four genotypes under study were grouped into five different and divers clusters; D2 value noted for different parameters indicated the presence of appreciable genetic diversity in the genotypes included in the investigation. Genetic diversity study suggested that genotypes namely J/93–86, MS/95–1309, J/95–227, MS/92–3146, Kufri Chipsona-3, and MP/97–637 possessed high perse performance. Thus, these genotypes may be included as a parent in hybridization programme for getting superior hybrids and segregants suitable for Chhattisgarh.