Correlations and path analysis between fruit characteristics and seeds of Pachira aquatica Aubl.

Pachira aquatica Aubl. is an important fruit-ornamental tree of Sinú valley at risk of genetic erosion. The objective was to estimate correlations between fruit characteristics, seeds, and path analyses for fresh fruit weight, for the purpose of genetic improvement. The treatments corresponded to 10 trees; 10 random fruits of each tree were taken. Analysis of variance were performed for fixed effects models, correlations and path analysis among the variables: fresh fruit weight, fruit length, fruit peel weight, number of seed per fruit, weight of seed per fruit and weight and volume and density of a seed. Statistical differences between trees were presented for all the characteristics, except for volume of one seed. Genetic correlations were greater in magnitude (32.8%) and statistical significance than phenotypic ones (29.7%). Seed weight showed high genetic correlation with seven characteristics (rG>0.53). The fresh fruit weight showed significant and direct genetic correlations with five variables, with correlation coefficients between 0.65* and 1.00**. The indirect effects explained the level of association between fruit length, seed/fruit weight, and percentage of seed/fruit with fresh fruit weight. The weight of peel/fruit exhibited greater direct and indirect effects on the fresh fruit weight in the two path analysis. It is possible to increase the weight of seed/fruit, weight and volume of a seed indirectly through the selection of trees with higher fresh fruit weight and/or peel/fruit weight, to improve yield and physiological quality of the seed.