Elsadig B. Ibrahim¹, Abdel Wahab H. Abdalla², Elshiekh A. Ibrahim³, Ahmed M. El Naim^3,

Sixteen genotypes of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were evaluated for two seasons to estimate phenotypic and genotypic correlations, path analysis and selection indices. They study was conducted at Shambat Demonstration Farm in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on thirteen plant attributes. Number of capsules/branch, 1000-seed weight, fruit yield /plant, seed yield/plant and calyx yield /unit area exhibited significant positive genotypic correlations with calyx yield/plant in the second season. On the other hand, the plant height, number of fruiting branches/plant, fruit weight, mean calyx weight/capsule, seed yield/plant and calyx yield/unit area showed significant negative genotypic correlations with calyx yield per plant in the first season. At the phenotypic level, calyx yield per plant had positive and significant association with number of capsules/main stem, number of capsules/branch, fruit yield/plant and seed yield/plant in both seasons. The yield components showed different patterns of association with each other. The path analysis indicated that fruit weight had the highest direct effect (0.46) on calyx yield/plant, while fruit yield had the lowest one (-0.19). The selection index based on number of fruiting branches/plant alone produced the highest expected genetic advance (1.66|) and the highest relative efficiency (40.39), followed by number of capsules/main stem and fruit weight. On the other hand, fruit yield/plant produced the lowest expected genetic advance (0.41) and lowest relative efficiency (9.98). Consequently, number of fruiting branches/plant, number of capsules/main stem and fruit weight can be used as selection criteria for the improvement of calyx yield/plant in Roselle.

Hibiscus sabdariffa, correlation, path analysis, selection index, Sudan