Character Association and Component Analysis in Rice Bean (Vigna Umbellata (Thunb) Ohwi and Ohashi) Across Cropping Systems in Mid Hills of Himachal Pradesh

Correlation and component analysis were performed for 11 characters in 20 genotypes of rice bean under monocropping and intercropping systems to find out the character association and their direct and indirect effects on seed yield. The investigation revealed that a positive and significant association was found for the characters aerial biomass, harvest index and pod length with seed yield per plant; aerial biomass with pod length whereas harvest index with pod length under monoculture and intercropping system and negative association of days to seed fill with days to flowering was observed under monoculture. Highly significant and positive correlation was observed between seed yield per plant with aerial biomass and harvest index; aerial biomass with 100-seed weight; 100-seed weight with days to flowering under intercropping. Component analysis revealed important contribution of harvest index towards seed yield under monoculture. Harvest index besides showing high direct effect, also exhibited positive indirect effects via aerial biomass and pod length towards seed yield. It was followed by aerial biomass and pod length, which also showed positive direct effect on seed yield. In case of intercropping, aerial biomass seemed to be an important trait because of its high direct effect, followed by harvest index. It was observed that seed yield can be improved by making selection through aerial biomass, harvest index, 100 seed weight, pods per plant and plant height.