Genetic variability, character association and path coefficient analysis for pod yield and drought tolerance in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Oilseeds Research station, Latur during rabi 2017-18 to evaluate twenty four genotypes of groundnut for genetic variability, character association and path analysis for ten characters under both stress and non stress conditions. Results revealed high phenotypic correlation coefficients (PCV) and genotypic correlation coefficients (GCV) for kernel yield and pod yield per plant and GCV were higher than PCV suggesting strong inherent association under both conditions. High heritability accompanied with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was recorded for kernel yield and pod yield per plant under non stress condition and kernel yield, pod yield, number of pods per plant and SCMR under stress condition. Pod yield exhibited highest positive and significant association with number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, kernel yield per plant, test weight, harvest index and SPAD Chlorophyll Meter Reading (SCMR) at both genotypic and phenotypic level under non stress condition. Path coefficients among the characters showed that kernel yield per plant, number ofseeds per pod and harvest index exerted highest positive direct effect on pod yield per plant under non stress and stress conditions.