Appraisement of Variability and Association among the Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) Genotypes Found in North-East India

The present investigations were carried out on forty genotypes of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) to determine the extent of variability present in the material and association among different traits. The genotypes were collected from six north-eastern states of India viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura during the two years 2016 and 2017. Selection and identification of superior genotypes were done following IPGRI jackfruit descriptor. The experiment was laid using randomized block design with three replications during the year 2016 and 2017 under Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat, East Siang, Arunachal Pradesh. The phenotypic coefficients of variability and genotypic coefficients of variability were recorded highest values for weight of fresh flake without seed (52.69% & 50.52%, respectively), stalk length (51.09% & 49.06%, respectively) and fruit weight (48.11% & 45.86%, respectively). High heritability coupled with high genetic gain was observed for stalk length, fruit weight, weight of fresh flake with seed and weight of fresh flake without seed traits. Genetic advance was recorded highest for 100-seed weight followed by stalk length and lowest for flake/fruit ratio followed by seed width traits. Yield per plant showed significant and positive genotypic correlation coefficient with fruit diameter, rachis diameter, fruit weight, petiole length, fruit length and flake length traits. The path coefficient analysis revealed that weight of fresh flake with seed has maximum positive direct effect on fruit yield per tree followed by weight of flakes per kg of fruit.