Correlation and Regression Analysis between Agronomic and Quality Attributes of Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) cv. Anna

Abstract

Aim: To assessed the relationships between fruit yield and various growth, yield, fruit quality attributes and leaf nutrient content of apple cultivar “Anna” using Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and coefficients of determination (r²). Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive year 2020-21 and 2021-22 at Horticulture Farm (PFDC), Department of Horticulture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana. Study Design and Methodology: The 19 treatments in study consists various nutrients and organic substances sources with replicated thrice and laid out in randomized block design. Various plant growth, yield and quality attributes and leaf nutrient content were recorded with the using standard producers. Results: The Significant positive correlations were observed between yield and attributes such as plant height, plant spread, leaf area, trunk girth and days taken for flowering after spray. Among these attributes the days taken for flowering after spray (r = 0.992) had the strongest positive correlation with fruit yield. Regression equations were derived to predict yield based on these agronomic and quality attributes. The results indicated that number of flower buds, flowering duration and fruit set play significant role in determining yield, and the corresponding equations offer a framework for predicting yield outcomes. Additionally, fruit quality attributes such as total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total sugars, total phenol content, total anthocyanin content and total carbohydrate content were positively correlated with fruit yield. The strongest correlation was with total carbohydrate content (r = 0.921). Leaf nutrient variables, including nitrogen, zinc, boron, iron and manganese, exhibited weaker correlations with yield, suggesting that while important for overall plant health, they have less direct influence on yield outcomes. Conclusion: Overall, this analysis highlights the complex interplay between growth, yield and fruit quality attributes in determining the yield of apple cultivar “Anna".