Assessment of Existing Genetic Variability and Yield Component Analysis in Niger ( Guizotia abyssinica Cass)

A study on genetic variability, character association and path coefficient analysis was conducted taking eighteen niger genotypes and six yield attributing traits for effective selection of base population from 2003-2006. Significant population differences existed among the genotypes for all the characters studied except number of branches per plant. High value of phenotypic coefficient of variability (PCV), genotypic coefficient of variability (GCV), heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean values indicated scope for improvement in days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of capitula per plant and number of seeds per capitulum. The grain yield was found positively and strongly correlated with days to 50 per cent flowering and number of branches per plant at genotypic level and with days to 50 per cent flowering, number of capitula and number of seeds per capitulum at phenotypic level. The grain yield was significant negatively correlated with plant height and number of seeds per capitulum at genotypic level. Path analysis revealed that the significantly positive associations of grain yield per ha with 50 per cent flowering and number of branches per plant were due to high positive direct and indirect effect via days to flowering, respectively. So, due emphasis may be given to days to flowering in yield improvement.