Studies on Characters Association and Path Coefficient Analysis for Yield and Water Use Efficiency Traits in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

The estimate of genotypic correlation coefficients in general is higher than their corresponding phenotypic correlations indicating strong inherent association among the traits. Pod yield had significant positive association with SPAD chlorophyll meter reading at 60 days after sowing, harvest index, non significant positive association with SPAD chlorophyll meter reading at 40 days after sowing, days to maturity, specific leaf area at 60 days after sowing, relative water content at 40 days after sowing and dry haulms yield per plant. These characters can be considered as criteria for selection for higher yield, as these were mutually and directly associated with pod yield. Path coefficient analysis revealed that, the maximum positive direct positive effect on pod yield per plant was contributed by days to maturity, SPAD chlorophyll meter reading at 40 days after sowing and 60 days after sowing, specific leaf area at 60 days after sowing, specific leaf area at 40 days after sowing and 60 days after sowing, dry haulms yield per plant and harvest indicating that these traits are the important yield contributing characters.