Correlation and Path Analysis Studies for Various Yield and Component Traits in the Segregating Generations of Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L). Hepper]

Blackgram despite of being a highly nutritious and short duration legume crop, it is not cultivated on large scales due to many constraints. Considering this, the research was aimed to develop blackgram genotypes with wider adaptability, genetic variability and high yielding potential by studying nature and magnitude of association among yield and related traits for effective production.

The present investigation was carried out at Experimental Farm of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, CSK HPKV, Palampur (H.P.) to assess the character association and direct and indirect effects among yield and related traits in 14 crosses and ten parents for 11 quantitative characters during Kharif 2018 and 2019 in randomized complete block design with three replications.

Correlation studies highlighted that seed yield per plant had significant and positive association with pods per plant, biological yield per plant, pod length, plant height and 100 seed-weight at genotypic and phenotypic levels in both generations. Study of path analysis revealed that biological yield per plant and pods per plant exhibited maximum positive direct and indirect effects to the total association between yield and other component traits in both the generations. These traits could be suggested as best selection indices on priority basis which would be commendable to improve the performance of genotypes during breeding programme.