Correlation and path analysis for seed yield in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

Seed yield is a complex character governed by several contributing characters. Hence, character association was studied in the present investigation to assess the relationship among yield and its components for enhancing the usefulness of selection criterion to be followed while developing varieties. Correlation and path analysis were made for nine characters in 61 genotypes of soybean. The seed yield was positively and significantly correlated with days to maturity, 100-seed weight, biological yield per plant and harvest index, but negatively correlated with number of primary branches per plant. Path coefficient analysis revealed that number of pods per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per cluster, pod length, biological yield per plant, harvest index, oil content and protein content had positive direct effect on seed yield per plant.