Selection Indices in Roselle Hemp

The present investigation was conducted to study the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlations, path analysis and selection indices in fifty roselle genotypes for ten characters. The correlation studies revealed that fibre yield per plot was significantly and positively associated with plant height, number of internodes, basal stem diameter, bark thickness, fibre length and fibre yield per plant. The results of path coefficient analysis supported that selection can be practiced for basal stem diameter, bark thickness, fibre length and fibre yield per plant as these characters manifested both positive direct effects and positive correlation with fibre yield per plot. Studies on genetic advance and relative efficiency of selection indices indicated that days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of internodes, basal stem diameter, bark thickness, fibre length, fibre yield per plant and fibre yield per plot together formed efficient selection index and may be useful for simultaneous character improvement in roselle.