Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

GENOTYPIC AND PHENOTYPIC CORRELATIONS AND PATH COEFFICIENT ANALYSIS IN CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.)

A.R. Gaikwad, N.C.Desai and A.M. Langhi

Abstract

The correlation and path analysis study was carried out at Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari in 40 different genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) obtained from the different locations were evaluated and Correlation studies revealed that seed yield per plant exhibited highly significant positive association with, number of pods per plant, secondary branches per plant, 100seed weight and reaction to insect pest (heliothis) at both the genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis indicated the highest and positive direct effect was recorded by number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight. Positive but low direct effect was exhibited by the days to 50 % flowering, number of primary branches per plant, number of seeds per pod, protein content and reaction to insect pest. Based on these findings, number of secondary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight, days to 50 % flowering and plant height were important traits which contributed towards higher yield. So, more emphasis should be given to these components during selection for higher yield.