Correlation and Path Analysis of Quantitative and Quality Traits in Short-duration Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) Genotypes under Kerala Agroclimatic Conditions

Abstract

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.), a vital pulse crop, faces yield improvement challenges due to the complex inheritance of productivity traits. The study aims to investigate the relationship between yield and various phenological, quantitative, and quality traits. The study was conducted during the 2023 kharif season at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, evaluating thirty short-duration pigeonpea genotypes in a randomized complete block design (RCBD).  Correlation analysis revealed that seed yield per plant was positively and significantly associated with number of pods per plant, biological yield, harvest index, primary branches, and seeds per pod, while phenol content showed a significant negative correlation. Path analysis indicated that biological yield, flowering traits, and harvest index exerted strong positive direct effects on seed yield, whereas days to bud initiation and plant height contributed negatively. These results indicate that selecting for traits like biological yield, flowering attributes, harvest index, pods per plant, and seeds per pod offers a practical and effective breeding strategy for enhancing yield in short-duration pigeonpea varieties suited to Kerala's agroclimatic conditions.