Correlation and path analysis for quantitative traits in durum wheat (Triticum durum L.)

Abstract

Forty cultivars of durum wheat were evaluated for yield and yield contributing traits in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications to determine the association between yield and yield attributing traits through correlation and path analysis. Significant genotypic differences were observed for all the 12 quantitative traits studied, indicating presence of considerable amount of variation among genotypes. The correlation coefficient analysis showed significant and positive correlation of grain yield per plant with biological yield per plant, harvest index, number of productive tillers per plant, number of grains per main spike and grain weight per main spike. Significant and positive correlations were observed for number of productive tillers per plant with biological yield per plant; number of grains per main spike with grain weight per main spike and harvest index; grain weight per main spike with harvest index and 100-grain weight; harvest index with 100-grain weight. The genotypic path coefficient analysis revealed that the biological yield per plant and harvest index exhibited high and positive direct effects on grain yield per plant. Biological yield per plant, grain weight per main spike, number of grains per main spike, number of productive tillers per plant and harvest index merits special attention in formulating selection strategy in durum wheat for developing high yielding varieties.