Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis of Yield and Its Component Traits in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

Aims: To study the correlation and path coefficient analysis of yield and its contributing characters in groundnut with aim of identifying superior yield contributing attributes for crop improvement. Study Design:  Augmented Block Design. Place and Duration of Study: AICRP on Groundnut, Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, between June 2024 to October 2024. Methodology: We include sixty-three genotypes, including three standard checks, were assessed at the Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur, using an augmented block design. Observations were taken for twelve characters: three phenological (days to 50% flowering, peg initiation, and maturity), seven yield-related (branches/plant, pods/plant, pod yield/plant, kernel yield/plant, shelling percentage, sound mature kernel (SMK) percentage and 100-kernel weight) and two biochemical (protein and oil content). Results: The correlation and path analysis revealed kernel yield/plant, pods/plant, branches, and SMK as the most dependable contributors to dry pod yield/plant in groundnut. The yield of dry pods/plant demonstrated very strong positive correlations with both the number of pods/plant (rg = 0.98**) and kernel yield/plant (rg = 0.98**), as well as with the number of branches/plant (rg = 0.82**). It was also strongly correlated with the presence of sound mature kernels (rg = 0.73**). Path analysis confirmed kernel yield as the most influential trait, showing a strong direct effect (0.9767) on the yield of dry pods/plant is followed by the number of pods/plant with a moderate direct effect (0.0641) and sound mature kernels with a smaller effect (0.0215). While branches are positively correlated, they exerted a minimal negative direct effect of -0.0059, which suggests that their contributions are primarily indirect. Conversely, shelling percentage (-0.2067), 100-kernel weight (-0.0129), oil content (0.0211) and protein content (0.0137) showed weak or inconsistent direct effects, highlighting their limited role in yield improvement. Conclusion: The traits such as kernel yield, pods/plant and SMK were identified as greater portion of dependable selection parameters aimed at enhancing dry pod yield in groundnut, with branches acting as a supportive trait through indirect effects. Conversely, shelling percentage, 100-kernel weight, protein content and oil content played minor or inconsistent roles, making them less reliable as primary selection indices.