Analysis of variability and genetic divergence for seed yield in coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)

Thirty-seven genotypes of coriander including six check varieties were analyzed for variability, correlation, path coefficients, and genetic divergence. Genotypes were grown in RBD with three replications and observations were recorded for 13 different quantitative traits. Secondary branches per plant and total oil content confirmed high values of GCV and PCV. Seeds per umbel, test weight, and total oil content exhibited high heritability along with high GA (% of mean). Both genotypically and phenotypically, seed yield per plant exhibited a positive and significant association with umbels per plant, umbellates per umbel, test weight, and harvest index. On seed yield per plant, umbels per plant reported the highest positive direct effect. Genetic diversity analysis grouped the 37 coriander genotypes into 6 different clusters with the maximum inter-cluster distance seen between clusters III and VI. Among the thirteen traits, test weight contributed largely to the total genetic divergence.