Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources

The introduction of groundnut germplasm in North East Hill (NEH) region of India is essential to enrich genetic resources for crop improvement. The soil under NEH region is characterized by with pH less than 5.5 (acidic) and Ca, P, Mg and K deficiencies. In view of this, a field experiment was conducted during Kharif, 2007 at foothills of Experimental and Extension Centre, Andro, Imphal East, Manipur to assess the genetic parameter, character association and path analysis for nine different morphological traits among eighteen advanced genotypes in groundnut. The genotypes demonstrated highly significant difference (P<0.01) for all the traits studied. High estimates of GCV and heritability coupled with genetic advance as per cent of mean were registered for number of mature pods, number of primary branches and pod yield. The correlation and path coefficients analysis also showed that number of mature pods and number of primary branches had significant and positive correlation with pod yield as well as maximum positive direct effect on pod yield. Hence, results clearly showed that genetic improvement of pod yield can be initiated by putting positive selection pressure on number of mature pods and number of primary branches in groundnut. The hierarchical analysis by complete linkage method using Euclidean distance classified the eighteen advanced genotypes in two genetically diverse clusters with 5 (I) and 13 (II) genotypes. The second cluster further divided in to two clusters (II A and II B) with 7 and 6 genotypes, respectively. The genotypes from diverse clusters may be utilized in crossing programme to produce desirable segregants for developing high yielding acidic tolerant genetic stock/varieties.