Correlation and path analysis in groundnut in the summer rice fallows

Abstract

Pod yield and seventean other characters were studied in eighty groundnut varieties raised in summer rice fallows. Correlation coefficients at the genotypic and phenotypic levels were computed between these characters and path analysis for pod yield was carried out considering eight components. Dry pod yield was highly correlated positively with plant height on the 50th day, length of top, fresh weight of pods, number of mature pods and number of immature pods both at the genotypic and phenotyic levels. Pod yield was also correlated highly and positively with number of flowers and haulms yield phenotypically. Pod yield recorded highly significant negative correlation with duration upto flowering, number of branches and leaves on the 50th day and number of flowers while it was moderate with number of branches. Positive correlation of duration upto flowering and maturity and lack of significant correlation of the latter with pod yield suggest the possibility of recombining high yield with short duration. Fresh weight of pods had the highest positive direct effect on dry pod yield. Number of leaves, flowers and mature pods also had positive direct effects in that order. Number of mature pods exarted positive indirect effects via fresh weight of pods, number of basal primary branches, haulms yield and 100 pod weight. Length of top, numbar of basal primary branches, haulms yield and '00 pod weight had negative direct effects on pod yield, of which that by haulms yield was the highest.