Character association and path analysis in terminal drought tolerant groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes

Abstract

Forty nine terminal drought tolerant groundnut genotypes were assessed for associations among various 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 highly significant positive association recorded for kernel yield, haulm yield, root diameter and root dry weight with pod yield per plant at both phenotypic and genotypic levels under both control and terminal drought conditions. The path analysis study indicated that high positive direct effect by kernel yield per plant on pod yield. The weightage should be given to primary branches per plant, mature pods per plant, kernel yield, root diameter and root dry weight characters while fixing selection criteria for improvement of drought tolerant groundnut genotypes.