Path Analysis and Quality Character Studies in Some Mid Late and Late Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) Genotypes

Aims: Path analysis study was done to show the cause and effect relationship between marketable curd yield and various yield components in cauliflower and to partition the total correlation coefficient into direct and indirect effect whereas quality character study was done to find out the suitable genotypes for cultivation on the basis of qualitative parameters along with quantitative traits.

Study Design: The experiment was laid out in Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: The present investigation was conducted with twenty mid-late and late cauliflower genotypes at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh during Rabi season of 2016.

Methodology: Path coefficient analysis was carried out using the formula of Dewey and Lu (1959). Qualitative characters were recorded as per the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) plant descriptors.

Results: In this investigation, it was found that leaf number per plant had highest (0.995) positive direct effect on marketable curd yield per plant followed by curd size index (0.411), days to marketable curd maturity (0.376), plant height (0.371), leaf size index (0.363), curd depth (0.164) and curd solidity (0.140). On the other hand maximum, negative direct effect was shown by gross weight per plant (-0.133) followed by stalk length (-0.908). Maximum positive indirect effect was shown by the trait stalk length via leaf number per plant (0.981) and plant height via days to marketable curd maturity (0.415) on marketable yield per plant. Regarding quantitative traits, the genotypes were classified into three categories viz., snow white, white and dull for the trait ‘curd colour’ and the majority of these displayed either snow white or white colour curds. On the other hand, regarding ‘plant growth habit’, genotypes were classified into three categories i.e. erect, semi-erect and spreading type and the majority of these were categorised as either erect or semi-erect types.

Conclusion: Maximum positive direct effect towards marketable yield per plant was contributed by leaf number per plant followed by curd size index, days to marketable curd maturity, plant height, leaf size index, curd depth and curd solidity. So, for cauliflower varietal improvement programme, the above mentioned horticultural traits should be selected which will ultimately increase marketable curd yield. Regarding quality traits it can be concluded that erect and semi-erect type of plant growth habit is preferred in cauliflower as it is going to protect the curd from sunlight, thereby preventing the discolouration of the curd towards yellowing which may not be preferred in the market.