Use of path coefficient in hevea breeding

Abstract

A path coefficient analysis was made in ten characteres of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) clones. Data from this study were derived from a previous experiment on the genetic correlation coefficients among several rubber tree characters with yield by microtapping in young plants. Of the characters studied only leaf thickness, bark thickness, total number of latex vessel rings, density of latex vessels per 5 mm per ring and average distance between consecutive latex vessel rings showed positive contribution in rubber yield with values varying from 0.490 to 5.188. It was observed that bark thickness had a strong direct and indirect influence on yield in the clones studied. Additional genetic progress for yield can be achieved through selection for bark thickness, leaf thickness and total number of latex vessel rings.