Author: Jawahar R. Sharma
Subject: Agricultural Statistics / Quantitative Genetics
Target Audience: Undergraduate and Postgraduate students of Genetics, Plant Breeding, and Agriculture; Researchers in crop improvement.
The application of these techniques allows a plant breeder to move from "art" to "science." By applying ANOVA, a breeder validates the significance of differences. Through Heritability and Genetic Advance, they predict breeding success. Through Path Analysis, they identify the traits that actually drive yield. These biometrical tools remain the standard for developing improved, high-yielding crop varieties.
Developed by Sewall Wright, this technique dissects the correlation coefficient into direct and indirect effects.
In hybridization programs, breeders want to cross genetically diverse parents to achieve heterosis (hybrid vigor).
This is where the book shines. Breeders often want to know: Does more tillers per plant mean higher yield? Correlation quantifies the relationship. However, correlation can be misleading due to indirect effects. Path Coefficient Analysis—a technique pioneered by Wright and popularized in plant breeding by Sharma—splits correlation into direct and indirect effects. The new edition provides step-by-step calculations using matrix algebra.
A significant portion of the book is dedicated to designing field experiments. It covers:
The "New PDF" includes ready-to-use templates for calculating LSD (Least Significant Difference) values for comparing variety means.
Heritability alone is not enough. Genetic advance predicts the expected improvement in the next generation after selection.
