Genetic variability and association in yield and yield related traits in anchote [Coccinia abyssinica (LAM.) COGN.]

Abstract

Anchote (Coccinia abysinica) is an endemic perennial trailing plant found both as cultivated and wild in Ethiopia. It has been in cultivation for a long period of time and has important economic (food, feed and income), socio-cultural and medicinal values. The objective of the present study was to estimate the extent of genetic variability and character association among anchote yield and yield related traits. Accordingly, forty nine anchote accessions from major anchote growing regions of west and south parts of Ethiopia were collected and tested at Bako Agricultural Research Center, western Ethiopia in 2011 main cropping season. The treatments were arranged in 7x7 simple lattice design. Variance component methods were used to estimate phenotypic and genotypic variation, heritability and genetic advance. Association of traits also estimated both at genotypic and phenotypic level using standard method. The accessions differed highly significantly for most of the characters and relatively wide range of mean for most characters, indicating the existence of variation among the tested accessions. High genotypic coefficient of variation along with high heritability and genetic advance was obtained from hundred seed weight, number of seeds per fruit, number of fruits per plant, average root yield per plant, total root yield, marketable root yield and average fruit yield, showing the possibility of anchote yield improvement through selection. Average root yield was positively and significantly (P<0.01) associated at genotypic and phenotypic level with root diameter (rg = 0.858 and rp = 0.593) and it also showed positive and highly significant association with root length (rg = 0.482 and rp = 0.345) signifying that indirect improvement would be very effective. Genotypic path coefficient analysis revealed that root diameter (0. 478), exerted maximum positive direct effect on average root yield per plant suggesting its possible utilization to improve root yield per plant. D2 analysis showed the 49 anchote accessions grouped into five clusters and this makes the accessions to become moderately divergent. Principal component analysis showed that the first three principal components explained about 93.50% of the total variation. Average fruit yield per plant and root diameter showed positive direct effect on average root yield, this character may be included as a component of indirect selection. Finally, genetic information for anchote especially at molecular level does not yet exist. Therefore, efficient utilization of anchote landraces for future breeding needs morphological diversity supported by molecular marker system.