Character associations and path analysis in ground nut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

Fifty diverse groundnut genotypes were assessed for associations among various agronomic characters and also path analysis for pod yield per plant. The magnitudes of genotypic correlation coefficients were generally higher compared to the corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficients for most of the traits. The pod yield per plant showed highly significant and positive correlations at both genotypic and phenotypic level with kernel yield per plant, number of mature pods per plant, harvest index, biological yield per plant, 100-kernel weight, days to 50% flowering, and shelling out-turn. Path analysis revealed high and positive direct effects of kernel yield per plant, while moderate and positive direct effects of number of mature pods per plant and harvest index on pod yield per plant. Days to 50% flowering and shelling out-turn contributed moderate and negative direct effects, but significant indirect effects along with 100-kernel weight for pod yield per plant. These results suggest kernel yield per plant, number of mature pods per plant, harvest index, 100-kernel weight, days to 50% flowering and shelling out-turn as useful traits for developing high yielding groundnut varieties.