Path Coefficient Analysis of Pod Yield and Its Components in Phaseolus vulgans L.var.humilis Alef.

In order to study the relationship between pod yield and its correlated characters (including stem high, number of branches and inflorescences and pods, pod length and pod weight), eight cultivars of dwarf French bean (Phaseolus vtilgaris L. var. humilis Alef.) are used with random block design. The main results are as follows. Significant difference existes among these cultivars for all seven characters mentioned above. But no significance of correlation coefficient of phenotype and genotype or environment between pod yield per plant and its seven correlated characters is found. Path coefficient analysis shows that one character which correlates to pod yield closely, indicates a little direct effect to pod yield because of one or more high negative indirect path coefficient. These negative indirect path coefficients cover up the genetic effect of this character to pod yield. Considering the phenotypic and genotypic path coefficient, number of pods and inflorescences are the most important characters to pod yield, number of branches, stem high and pod weight are secondary, and pod length is less important. High pod yield selection method in dwarf French bean is discussed.