Correlation and path coefficient analysis of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes

The correlations and path coefficient were studied in 20 diverse genotypes of wheat in order to understand the relationship and contribution of 11 characters towards the grain yield. This field experiment was conducted in alpha lattice design with two replications at Agronomy Farm of Tribhuvan University, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Pakhlihawa, Rupendehi, Nepal. The correlation between grain yield and number of spikes/m² (r=0.663) was positive and significant. Similarly, the positive phenotypic correlation was found between grain yield and other following components: plant height (r=0.186), spike weight (r=0.225), spike length (r=0.117), number of grains/spike (r=0.394), flag leaf length (r=0.081) and 1000-kernel weight (r=0.201). Path coefficient analysis revealed that the magnitude of positive direct effect on grain yield was highest through number of spikes/m², spike weight, number of grains per spike, days to anthesis and 1000-kernel weight. This study suggests that number of spikes/m² and spike weight can be used as selection criteria in breeding study to improve the high yielding wheat genotypes.