Correlation and path coefficients analysis can helps to assess the mutual relationship between various plant characters and determines component characters on which selection can be based or improvement in yield. Twenty four genotypes of bitter gourd were evaluated for yield contributing characters to observe their associations and direct and indirect effect on fruit yield at College of Horticulture, Mudigere during summer 2017-18. The study revealed that genotypic correlation coefficient was higher than the respective phenotypic correlation coefficients; this indicates the lesser influence on phenotypic expression. Fruit yield per plant had significant positive correlation with fruit length and fruit weight. High positive direct effect was observed between fruit yield per plant with vine length, node at which male flower appears, number of fruits per vine, fruit weight and fruit length which are important characters to be accounted for gaining improvement in yield. | Character association and path coefficient analysis in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) genotypes
