Evaluation of Correlation and Path Analyses on Yield and Yield Contributing Characters in 30 Indigenous Genotypes and 3 Varieties of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]

Abstract

The current study was conducted during 2019-2020 at the Post Graduate Research Farm, RCSM, College of Agriculture, Kolhapur. Correlation and path coefficient analyses among eleven morphological traits were studied in 30 genotypes and 3 released cowpea varieties. According to the correlation data, the number of pods per plant, number of main branches, number of seeds per pod, leaf width, and pod length all exhibited a highly significant positive link with seed yield per plant. This showed a highly significant positive association of seed yield per plant with number of pods per plant (0.740), followed by number of main branches (0.638), number of seeds per pod (0.376), leaf width (0.363) and pod length (0.281). The characters such as leaf length (0.216), number of days to maturity (0.195) and test weight (0.171) were positively associated but non-significant at the genotypic level. The path analysis revealed that at the genotypic level, the nodes on the main stem (-0.209) and the number of days to 50% blooming (-0.026) were non-significant and negatively correlated. The number of pods per plant, the number of seeds per pod, leaf width, and test weight all showed a significant positive direct effect on seed yield. Genotypes such as PMCP-1021, CP-20, CP-25, CP-26, CP-7, CP-2-1, CP-15, CP-9-1, CP-17, CP-2-1, PCP-1809, PCP-1124, PCP-1123, Phule Rukmini and Phule Pandhari were found to be superior for seed yield per plant. This study reveals the contribution of various traits to yield and assists breeders in enhancing yield by improving key traits directly or indirectly.