Role of Genetic Variability and Their Associated Character on Yield Attributing Traits in Castor (Ricinus communis L.) Germplasm Lines

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is an industrially important non-edible oil seed crop with limited genetic variation. It is consequently important to diversify the genetic base to utilize the diversity. The primary objective of this study was to assess the extent and significance of variability among castor genotypes concerning yield and its associated traits. A study with two hundred germplasm lines along with four checks on genotypes on variability, correlation, and path coefficient was carried out for nine traits. The genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) values indicated the presence of broad variation for all characters except for days to 50 percent flowering, days to maturity, number of nodes, and oil content. However, high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent mean was observed for plant height, days to 50 percent flowering, days to maturity, number of nodes, total length of the primary spike, number of effective spikes, seed weight, and total yield. The character's plant height,    number of nodes, total length of the primary spike, number of effective spikes, seed weight, and oil content show a positive significant correlation with the total yield. The path coefficient analysis indicates that the utmost positive direct effect on total yield was exerted by a number of effective spikes per plant. Hence it was concluded that selection for traits total length of the primary spike, number of effective spikes, and 100 seed weight beneficial in yield improvement programs of castor.