Path-coefficient analysis of anatomical characters affecting peg strength in groundnut

Abstract

Correlation and path-coefficient analysis for anatomical characters affecting peg strength was carried out in eleven strains of groundnut. Bundle cap length and number of xylem vessels per vascular bundle showed a significant positive correlation with peg strength. Path-coefficient analysis revealed that bundle cap length had the highest direct positive effect on peg strength whereas number of xylem vessels per vascular bundle played only a minor role directly. All the characters positively affected peg strengh in an indirect manner mostly via bundle cap lengh. All other direct effects and such indirect effects where bundle cap length was not involved were found to be unimportant. Thus bundle cap length emerged as a reliable anatomical character which can serve as a selection criterion in breeding cultivars with strong pegs to reduce harvesting losses in groundnut.