Genetic Variability, Heritability, Interrelationships Association and Path Analysis in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Evaluation of 80 genotypes of lentil including 4 checks revealed moderate to high estimates of heritability, GCV, PCV and genetic gain for seed yield per plant, number of primary branches per plant and number of secondary branches per plant which could be improved by simple selection. The phenotypic and genotypic associations of seed yield per plant were significantly positive with days to 50% flowering, plant height and number of primary branches but significantly negative with days to maturity. Path analysis showed that biological yield per plant and harvest index produced high and positive direct effect on yield and high indirect effect through each other on yield. Number of pods per plant also exerted high and positive indirect effect via number of seeds per plant on yield suggesting select for such traits while exercising selection for seed yield per plant of lentil.