Variability, Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Genotypes

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an important leguminous seed spice and belongs to the family Fabaceae.Both seed and leaves of fenugreek are widely used as a cooking spice to enhance the taste of many meat, poultry and vegetable dishes. Utilization of variability is essential for selection of best genotypes. With this background, present experiment was conducted to estimate genetic variability, correlation and path coefficients for yield and other yield attributing traits to select the promising genotypes for high yield in fenugreek.

The experiment on assessment of variability, correlation and path coefficient in Fenugreek genotypes for growth and yield attributes was carried out at the College Orchard, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Sixteen fenugreek genotypes, sourced from various locations, were sown in a randomized block design with two replications during winter season of 2021 -22 and 2022–23. Observations on growth and yield parameters were recorded and analysed for variance, variability, correlation and path coefficients.

Cultivar TFG.12 recorded significantly highest values plant height (48.76 cm), number of grains per pod (11.25), 1000-grain weight (11.18 g), grain yield per plant (6.39 g) and estimated yield per hectare (440 kg) with least number of days taken to flowering (34.50 days). In this study, analysis of variance revealed the presence of considerable amount of variability. Moderate to high genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed for characters like grain yield per plant and length of pods, number of grains per pod. High heritability coupled with genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed for characters like number of productive branches, number of pods per plant, length of pod, number of grains per pod and grain yield per plant. The genotypic and phenotypic correlation studies revealed the grain yield recorded significant and positive correlation with 1000-grain weight and number of grains per pod number of branches per plant, number of grains per pod and 1000 grain weight exerted the highest positive direct effect on grain yield per plant.