Stability, correlation and path coefficient analysis for yield and quality traits in betelvine (Piper betle L.) genotypes under three different sets of conditions

Betelvine (Piper betle L.) is commonly consumed as betel quid or paan with areca nut and/or tobacco; and also utilized in Indian medicine systems and in religious ceremonies. The betel production is highly erratic and so is the income of farmers due to natural climatic factors and spoilage during transport. It is therefore important to improve its productivity per vine and per unit area to meet the demand. Correlation, path coefficient and stability analysis was carried out in fifteen genotypes of betelvine including 3 checks under three protected structures, namely, Bareja (E1), Poly tunnel (E2) and Net tunnel (E3). Among the three structures, Net tunnel was found suitable for the cultivation of betelvine in Chhattisgarh. With respect to quality parameters, Meetha paan (2.65 g/100g) followed by Billori (2.23 g/100g) found to have high protein content. Meetha paan (5.89g/100g) followed by Meetha-cum-bangla (5.36g/100g) was also found to possess high starch content. However, low fiber content was recorded in Meetha pan (1.83g/100g), whereas high potassium content was found in Ramtake meetha (933mg/100g) followed by Bidhan pan (991mg/100g). The genotype, Karapaku possessed high potassium content (2.67mg/g). Hedonic five point scale for organolaptic test showed Meetha paan (2.3/5) followed by Bali paan (2.4/5) were less pungent among genotype studied. Highest shelf life was found in genotype Karapaku and Bhaichigudi (18days). The results indicated that number of leaves per vein were positively correlated with leaf width (0.802 and 0.819) followed by leaf area (0.790 and 0.808), leaf area index (0.782 and 0.800), leaf length (0.745 and 0.759), specific leaf weight (0.681 and 0.709), petiole length (0.658 and 0.705), diameter of internodes (0.484 and 0.559) and R-value (0.112 and 0.110) at both phenotypic and genotypic level, respectively. Path analysis identified leaf width (0.8772) and leaf length (0.4712) had direct effects on leaf yield at phenotypic level. Highest positive direct effect on leaf yield was exerted by leaf area (1.3544) followed by leaf width (0.8986) at genotypic level. These characters can be used as selection criterion in a breeding programme to develop varieties of betelvine with high leaf yield. The stability analysis under three different protected structures viz; E1, E2, E3 indicated that the genotypes, Karapaku, Bhaichigudi and Maghai pan are stable across the environment for leaf yield.