Correlation and path coefficient analysis for phenotypic traits of noble scallop Chlamys nobilis

In April of 2006, a base population of the noble scallop Chlamys nobilis was established by collecting parental breeders from the stocks in Wushi, Zhanjiang. In December of 2006, 200 individuals were randomly sampled from the base population and subjected for correlation and path coefficient analysis. It was found that there were statistically significant phenotypic correlations among the traits （P 〈 0.01）. Total weight was significantly and positively correlated with the shell length （r = 0.934 3）, shell height （r = 0.895 9）, shell width （r = 0.899 1 ）, muscle weight （r = 0.882 0） and shell weight （r = 0.937 9）, respectively. Shell length, shell width, muscle weight, shell height and shell weight had positive and direct effects on the total weight, with values of 0.397 1, 0.321 9, 0.172 1, 0.089 6 and 0.066 9, respectively. Shell length, shell width and muscle weight had higher direct effects on the total weight than shell height and shell weight. A combined evaluation of correlation, direct effects and indirect effects showed that direct selection for shell length, shell width, muscle weight, shell height and shell weight would be effective to improving the total weight. It was concluded that these traits could be regarded as the selection criteria in breeding programs of the species.

Correlation and Path Coefficient and Chi-square Distance Cluster Analysis for Several Characteristics in Tobacco Germplasm Resource

Correlation and path coefficient analyses were conducted for 10 characteristics of 24 pure lines of flue-cured tobacco such as plant height, knot distance, leaf number, the central leaf length and width, ratio of the length to width, stem girth, dates of budding, leaf yield and ratio of the prime-medium tobacco. The leaf number and the central leaf length showed a positive or a strong positive correlation with the yield per plant. And the leaf number and leaf yield per plant showed a strong positive correlation with the ratio of prime-medium tobacco. The results showed that the leaf yield per plant among these characteristics played a major role in determining the ratio of prime-medium tobacco while the others were less related with the ratio. Square sum of deviation method cluster analyses showed that 24 pure lines of flue-cured tobacco were clustered into two groups. Of the pure lines, Line T1706 and Line T1245 had a far relationship with all other lines, and also had a heterosis when crossed with the other lines. Lines Guangdonghuang 1 and R72（3）B-2-1 were closely related.

Multi-decadal variations in glacier flow velocity and the influencing factors of Urumqi Glacier No.1 in Tianshan Mountains, Northwest China

Urumqi Glacier No. 1 is a representative glacier in the inland areas of Central Asia and is the only Chinese reference glacier in the World Glacier Monitoring Service. In this study, we explored multi-decadal variations in the flow velocity of the glacier and the influencing factors based on continuous field observations and path coefficient analysis. Results show that the glacier flow velocity decreased from 5.5 m/a in 1980/1981 to 3.3 m/a in 2010/2011. The annual variation in the direction of glacier flow velocity in the western branch and eastern branch was less than 1°–3°, and the change of glacier flow velocity in the western branch was more dramatic than that in the eastern branch. Glacier flow velocity was influenced by glacier morphology（including glacier area, glacier length, and ice thickness）, glacier mass balance and local climate conditions（air temperature and precipitation）, the glacier morphology being the leading factor. The long-term flow velocity data set of Urumqi Glacier No. 1 contributes to a better understanding of glacier dynamics within the context of climatic warming.

Salinity Tolerance in Argentinean Population of <i>Bromus catharticus</i>. Variability and Direct and Indirect Effects on Seedling Characters

The aim of this research was to evaluate the salinity tolerance in prairie grass populations at the seedling stage quantifying the variability and the influence of physiological traits related to it. Salinity tolerance, in Bromus catharticus Vahl (prairie grass) populations collected in different environments of the Pampean Phytogeography region (Argentine) was evaluated at the seedling stage, using controlled condition of temperature and light. It was adopted a completely randomized design using 3 plots with three plants each one per population and two levels of treatment: 0 mM and 100 mM NaCl. Morphological, biomass and membrane stability root and shoot traits were studied. A factorial ANOVA with interaction was estimated. Then one way ANOVA for all seedling traits in both treatments allowed estimating variance components, coefficient of genotypic determination (CGD) and variation index (VI). Comparisons between populations were made using Tukey test (at 5% of probability). Phenotypic correlations among traits were calculated and then a path coefficient analysis separated direct and indirect effects at 100 and 0 mM NaCl. No significant interactions “Population × Treatment” were found for any character. The saline stress caused a pairing in the population means for the most traits. Coefficients of variation were mainly higher when the seedlings grew without stress (0 mM) because it allowed a greater potential genotypic expression. The absence of significant interactions denotes a good homeostatic capacity of the prairie grass facing that abiotic stress. Leaf length, shoot length and root dry matter were the variables with the largest direct and indirect effects. Our results showed an increase for them at salt and demonstrated intraspecific variation, possibly in relation with the origin sites. Plants under stress showed a marked resilience, in order to quickly restore the same biomass allocation patterns that occur in non-stress environment.