Estimation of Correlation and Path Analysis for Quantitative Traits in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp).

Abstract

The experiment included 20 cowpea genotypes with three replications in a Randomized Block Design. The study was carried out to estimate the genetic variability, genetic advance, correlation coefficient analysis and yield contributing traits, direct and indirect effects of yield component on yield through path analysis. The analysis of variance revealed the existence of all the traits, hence the data on all the 17 traits which showed significant differences among the entries were subjected to further statistical analysis. Maximum Genotypic coefficient of variation and Phenotypic coefficient of variation for biological yield and harvest index were recorded. At the phenotypic and genotypic levels, seed yield per plant had a high positive significant connection with Peduncle length, Number of secondary branches, Number of seeds per pod, Number of pods per plant, Biological yield, and Harvest index. Days to 50% flowering, Number of secondary branches, Number of seeds per pod, Number of pods per plant, 100 - seed weight had a significant positive effect on seed yield per plant at both the phenotypic and genotypic levels. Genotypes IC 259106, EC 58905, IC 202797, KASHI KANCHAN, IC 202803 and IC 10854 were found to be superior for seed yield per plant.