Estimates of genetic variability, divergence, correlation and path coefficient for morphological traits in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) genotypes

Seventeen genotypes of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) were evaluated at ICAR-NRCSS, Ajmer (Rajasthan) during rabi 2014-15 and 2015-16. The highest GCV and PCV were observed for seed yield per plot followed by test weight and 5 plants seed yield. The highest genetic advance was observed for seed yield per plot followed by 5 plants seed yield and plant height. The highest heritability was estimated for 5 plants seed yield followed by plant height and number of primary branches. The genotypes were grouped into six clusters. Inter cluster distance was maximum between clusters IV and VI followed by III and VI while minimum between clusters II and IV. Whereas, the intra-cluster distance was maximum for Cluster-I. Among the eight characters studied for genetic divergence, 5 plants’ seed yield contributed the maximum accounting for 46.32% of total divergence, followed by number of primary branches (16.9%) and plant height (12.5%). It was concluded that improvement of seed yield in fenugreek can possible through selection for number of pod per plant, number of seeds per pod, plant height and number of primary branches. Molecular studies also supported the same findings.