Character association and path analyses in sponge gourd

Knowledge about the degree of association of yield with components and the interrelationships among them may prove useful in crop improvement. Correlation and path coefficient analyses were carried out for 13 characters of yield and its components. Character association indicated that fruit yield per plant and average fruit weight was positive and significantly correlated with number of fruits per plant at genotypic and phenotypic level. Path analysis indicated that number of fruits per plant had significantly positive, direct effect on fruit yield per plant at genotypic and phenotypic level. The remaining characters had negligible to low or moderate indirect effects through other component characters. The high direct effect of these traits appeared to be the main factors for their strong association with fruit yield. Therefore, maximum weight age should be given to these characters for improvement of yield in sponge gourd.