Phenotypic correlation and path analysis for fruit traits in genotypes of pineapple

The breakdown of the correlation coefficient into direct and indirect effects allows for more balanced genetic gains to be obtained between the explanatory variables on the main variable in genetic improvement programs. This study aimed to estimate the direct and indirect effects on the fruit mass without the crown of pineapple half-sibling genotypes by unfolding the phenotypic correlation matrix obtained between the fruit variables. The phenotypic correlation matrix was estimated for 103 pineapple half-sibling genotypes, which was decomposed into direct and indirect effects, considering eight explanatory variables (Xi) on the main variable mass of the fruit without crown (Y). Phenotypic correlation coefficients ranged from -0.253 to 0.869. The mass of the fruit without the crown showed significant and high magnitude correlations with the length of the fruit (0.792), circumference of the base of the fruit (0.756) and circumference of the middle third of the fruit (0.707). It was concluded, by path analysis, that the fruit's length and the fruit's circumferences (middle third and base of the fruit) are the characteristics that presented the great direct effects on the basic variable.