ESTIMATION OF GENETIC VARIABILITY AND CORRELATION AMONG DIFFERENT RYEGRASS GENOTYPES FOR FODDER YIELD AND QUALITY RELATED TRAITS

Abstract

Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is the most important fodder crop grown worldwide. The present research work was carried out at the research area of MNS university of Agriculture, Multan. Twenty ryegrass accessions were sown in three replications following a randomized complete block design. Analysis of variance showed that genotypes significant for all traits instead of fresh fodder yield and dry fodder yield. The genotypes 193145 and 196538 showed best results for most of the traits studied. The phenotypic and genotypic positive and significant association of plant height, leaf area and dry weight with fresh fodder yield was observed. Dry fodder yield had a positive and significant association with plant height and leaf area, fresh weight, crude protein and ash contents at genotypic level. So, the dry weight had highest positive direct effect on fresh fodder yield followed by number of tillers. Leaf area and crude protein was negative direct effect on fresh fodder yield. The highest positive indirect effect by crude protein via dry fodder yield followed by number of tillers and leaf area. It was concluded that plant height, number of tilers, plant height, leaf area and dry weight will be used as selection criteria for improving the fodder yield.