Assessment of Yield Contributing Traits Using Correlation Coefficient Analysis in Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Cultivars from Southern India

Abstract

Aims: The main objectives of the study is to evaluate the yield contributing characters in date palm cultivars at Ariyakulam village, Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. Study Design: Randomized block design (RBD). Place and Duration of Study: The research experiment was carried out in 15 different date palm cultivars at Ariyakulam, Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu in the year 2024-2025. Methodology: The 15 date palm cultivars, such as Barhee, Khalas, Anand, Mijenas, Khadrawey, Sayas, Makdhoom, Elite, RB-1, Kanijee, Noor, Medjool, 0.91, 101, and Ajwa. The yield contributing characters such as tree age (year), tree canopy volume (m³), trunk circumference (cm), leaf length (cm), number of fronts/tree, number of leaves/fronds (NL), fruit weight (g), pulp weight (g), pulp thickness (mm), fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), seed weight (g), pulp: ratio, seed: ratio, number of bunches/ tree, bunch weight, yield are correlated. The Correlation coefficient was generated using the CRAN (Comprehensive R Archive Network) programme version 4.5.0. Results: The yield contributing traits are highly positively correlated with the number of bunches/tree (0.936), bunch weight (0.650) and fruit weight is positively correlated with pulp weight (0.974), thickness of the pulp (0.869), fruit length (0.854), fruit diameter (0.934), seed weight (0.934), and pulp ratio (0.818). However, tree age, trunk circumference, number of leaves/fronds, pulp: ratio, and seed: ratio had a negative indirect effect. Conclusion: In this study, the phenotypic correlation analysis revealed that fruit weight, pulp weight, pulp thickness, fruit length, fruit diameter, seed weight, number of bunches/trees, and bunch weight are important factors in increasing yield. So, the findings of the study will aid in the germplasm management and conservation, as well as breeding strategies.