Correlation and path coefficient analysis of yield and its component traits among different accessions of the tribal pulse, Abrus precatorius L

Abstract

The Genebank of National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) conserves 152 accessions of Jequirity bean. Experimental trials were conducted with 99 accessions (95 entries + 4 checks) at two locations i.e. Issapur farm of NBPGR (Located at south west Delhi) and NBPGR regional station, Ranchi. The data was recorded using the minimal descriptors developed by NBPGR. The experimental design used was Augmented Block Design (ABD). After correlation analysis, it was observed the association between the morphological traits viz. number of inflorescence per plant (NIF_P) and number of pod cluster per plant (NPC_P) and also between days to flower initiation (DFI) and days to complete pod maturity (DM) was highly significant and with very strong positive correlation. Based on the path coefficient analysis, it was noted that the effect of number of pods per cluster (NP_C), number of pod cluster per plant (NPC_P) and number of seeds per pod (NS_P) over the dependent variable seed yield per plant (SYP) was high. Selection for these traits by a plant breeder will result in the yield improvement of Jequirity bean.