Vol. 1, Issue 1, Part E (2014)

An attempt was made to study the character association and path coefficient analysis among 45 genotypes of forage oat. Highly significant differences were observed for all the traits. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was high for almost all the fodder yield traits. Heritability was high for all the characters, whereas genetic advance was high for most of the characters. In general genotypic correlations were higher than their corresponding phenotypic correlations. Green and dry fodder yield was positive and significantly correlated with plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves/plant, leaf length and leaf breadth. Plant height and stem diameter had high direct effect on fodder yield. Both these traits also had high indirect effect. Therefore, prime importance should be given to these traits in selection for advancement of fodder yield in oat.