Genetic variability and association studies in Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii)

Analysis of variance for 14 quantitative characters in 16 accessions of palmarosa showed significant variability for all the traits. High estimate of heritability coupled with high genetic advance were observed for number of spikes per plant, oil yield and oil content. Hence these traits would respond to selection. Oil yield had positive association with oil content, herbage yield, number of spikes per plant, number of panicles per plant and number of internodes on main axis at genotypic and phenotypic level. These traits could be considered as selection indices for oil yield improvement programme in palarosa.