Correlation and path coefficient analysis of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) at Jimma, Southwestern, Ethiopia

Thirty-five accessions of cassava /Manihot esculenta Crantz/ were tested at Jimma Agricultural Research Center during the 2009-2011 growing seasons using three replications of RCBD. The objectives of the study were to investigate the interrelationship of yield related characters and extent of their contribution to fresh root yield on cassava. Correlation and path-coefficient were computed between plant height, number of vertical stem/plant, number of branches/plant, canopy diameter, stem girth, number of roots/plant, root length, roots diameter, root fresh weight, weight of above ground plant biomass and root dry weight in thirty five cassava genotypes. The phenotypic correlation between root fresh yield and plant height, canopy diameter, stem girth and roots diameter was highly significant, while positive and significant genotypic correlation was significant between these characters and root fresh yield plant. Among these characters, roots diameter reflected the highest direct effect of (1.978) towards root fresh weight; while minimum was indicated by plant height (-1.826). Plant height, number of roots/plant, number of vertical stem/plant and root diameter along with their indirect causal factors should be considered simultaneously as an effective selection criterion evolving high root yield genotypes of their direct positive contribution to root yield. This study suggests the higher value of residual effect (0.92) indicated more yield components should be considered in the future to account for the variation in cassava root yield. Key Words: Cassava; Correlation, Direct effect; Manihot esculenta, Path coefficient