Genetic Estimation and Correlation between Yield and Some Quantitative Characters of Accessions of the Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merr) Germplasm Collection at the Center for Tropical Fruit Studies Bogor Agricultural University (IPB)

Abstract

Information on genetic variabilities, heritabilities and correlations between quantitative characters and yield are important parameters for supporting selection programs. The objectives of this research were to estimate these factors on several accessions of pineapples. Field experiments were conducted at the Pasir Kuda Experiment Station, from October 2004 to November 2006 with a completely randomized block design, comprising 26 treatments (accessions) and two replications. The results demonstrated that number of leaves, length of leaf, number of hapas, days to flowering, days to harvesting, peduncle diameter, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of spirals, flesh thickness, total acid, and vitamin C concentration had wide genotypic and phenotypic variabilities and high heritabilities. Plant height, width of leaf, days to harvesting, peduncle diameter, fruit length, number of spiral, fruit diameter, flesh thickness, core diameter, and vitamin C were positively and significantly correlated with fruit weight. Plant height, canopy diameter, number of spirals, fruit diameter, flesh thickness, core diameter, and total acid had positive direct effects on fruit weight. The indirect effects on fruit weight via fruit diameter was shown by the number of spirals and flesh thickness; via number of spiral showed by fruit diameter and core diameter; via flesh thickness shown by number of spirals, fruit diameter and core diameter shown by fruit diameter, flesh thickness, and core diameter. The number of spiral and flesh thickness should be used as selection criteria for fruit weight improvement