Genetic variability, character association and path analysis in ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal] under rainfed conditions

Abstract

Twenty six diverse genotypes of ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal]were evaluated for fourteen quantitative traits under rainfed conditions. Both phenotypicand genotypic coefficients of variation were higher for important traits like number ofberries/plant, fresh weight of berries/plant, biomass yield at maturity and ratio of freshabove ground biomass: fresh root biomass. High heritability in conjunction with highgenetic advance were observed for number of berries/plant, fresh weight of berries/plant,seed yield/plant, fresh root yield/plant, biomass yield at maturity and ratio of fresh aboveground biomass : fresh root biomass which indicated predominant role of additive geneaction for the expression of these characters. Fresh root yield/ plant was found to bepositively and significantly correlated with number of berries/plant, fresh weight ofberries/plant, seed yield/plant and root diameter. Path analysis revealed that totalalkaloid content showed the highest positive direct effect on fresh root yield/plantfollowed by biomass yield at maturity, seed yield/plant, root diameter and number ofberries/plant which suggested that selection for these traits would be quite effective toimprove fresh root yield in ashwagandha.