Correlation and Path Analysis in Shallot (Allium cepa var. ascalonicum Baker.) Genotypes

Field experiments were conducted on forty nine shallot genotypes to study the nature of correlations between bulb yield and other related characters at Sirinka and Girana in northeastern Ethiopia. Observations were made on ten plant samples for data analysis. At Girana, total bulb yield per plant showed high and positive phenotypic and genotypic correlations with plant height, leaf number, leaf diameter, bulb splits, marketable yield, biological yield and bulb dry weight. At Sirinka, the same trend was observed at genotypic level while, at phenotypic level, bulb yield correlated positively and significantly with plant height, lateral branches, bulb splits, bulb diameter marketable yield, biological yield and bulb dry weight. At both locations, biological yield, harvest index, marketable yield, bulb splits, pungency, laterals branches, bulb dry weight and bulb diameter exerted a positive direct effect on bulb yield at phenotypic level. At genotypic level, biological yield, bulb splits, harvest index, plant height, leaf diameter, marketable yield and pungency showed a positive direct effect on bulb yield per plant at Grana. The same trend at genotypic level was observed at Sirinka. The correlation of leaf number, plant height and leaf diameter with bulb yield and their positive indirect effects on bulb yield via their contribution to biological yield indicated that they could be considered as useful traits for selection in a breeding program of shallot for bulb yield.