Character association and path coefficient analysis in f2 generation of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

In groundnut, correlation and path coefficient analysis was carried out to identify the suitable selection indices in F2 generation of four crosses viz., JL-24 x GJG-22(Cross-1), ICGV-05155 x R-33-1(Cross-2), AK-343 x TPG-41(Cross-3) and JL-501 x TG-36 (Cross-4). Correlation analysis revealed that the traits viz., Pod yield per plant had significant and positive association with number of matured pods per plant, kernel yield per plant, shelling outturn, biological yield per plant and harvest index. Inter-correlation among these traits also recorded significantly positive association in most of the crosses studied. Hence, these characters can be considered as selection criteria for higher yield as they were mutually and directly associated with pod yield per plant. Moreover, in path analysis values indicated that high positive and significant direct effects of kernel yield per plant, biological yield per plant and harvest index towards the pod yield per plant found in all the crosses to be an important yield contributing characters. Number of matured pods per plant and shelling outturn showed the major indirect effect towards pod yield per plant through kernel yield per plant in the materials studied. Therefore, number of matured pods per plant, kernel yield per plant, shelling outturn, biological yield per plant and harvest index should be considered as selection criteria for improving pod yield per plant in groundnut.