Abstract:
ute (Corchorus capsularis L.) is an important fibre crop of manifold utility. Its fibre yield and quality
is dependent on component characters which are quantitatively inherited and considerably influenced
by environment. In crop plants, most economical characters are controlled by many genes.
Physiological and linkage relationship have been frequently observed in genes governing various
quantitative characters (Dhillon and Gupta, 1975). Hence, knowledge on the phenotypic and genotypic
correlations between important characters is considered useful in planning an efficient breeding
programme. Besides, correlations between important and unimportant characters may reveal that some
of the latter are useful as indication of one or more of the important characters (Johnson et al., 1955 a).
Thus, advancement through a breeding programme depends upon the extent of genetic variability in the
population and the extent to which the desirable traits are heritable.
In this context, correlation and path-coefficient analysis assume special importance as they not only
measure mutual association but also estimate the direct and indirect contributions of perspective traits.
This investigation was, therefore, undertaken to measure the genetic variability, nature of association
among different plant traits and the potential applicability of path analysis techniques in breeding white
jute.
