Correlation and Path Analysis Studies on Yield and its Components in Mung Bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

The correlation coefficients among 20 yield contributing traits with their path effects towards and seed yield using 70 genotypes of mung bean were investigated during Kharif 2015-16. The analysis of correlation coefficient suggested that the magnitude of genotypic correlations were higher than the corresponding phenotypic correlations. In present study, phenotypic and genotypic correlation of seed yield was positive and significant with days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, primary branches per plant, clusters per plant, pods per plant, pod length, 100-seed weight, shelling %, biological yield per plant and harvest index. This suggests while selecting for improvement in seed yield these characters can be kept in mind provided the character should show high variability, which is basis for selection. However, seed yield per plant showed significant and negative association with protein content in both genotypic and phenotypic correlation studies. Hence, these traits also can be emphasized while selecting for improvement of seed yield. The path coefficient analysis revealed that biological yield per plant had highest direct effect on seed yield per plant followed by harvest index, days to maturity, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod, number of pods per cluster, 100-seed weight both at genotypic and phenotypic level, whereas seed hardness, days to shattering and primary branches per plant at genotypic level only. This suggested that emphasis should be given to these traits in selection programme for improvement of seed yield in mung bean.