Study of correlation and path coefficient analysis for some quantitative traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

An experiment was conducted to study, the genetic association among 76 (60 F1s + 16 Parents) treatments for 11 quantitative characters in which Seed yield per plant showed positive and highly significant correlation with biological yield per plant, number of seeds per pod, harvest index, 100 seed weight and pods per plant in both environments. Path coefficient analysis revealed highly positive direct effects towards expression of seed yield per plant were displayed by number of seeds per pod followed by 100 seed weight, harvest index and number of pods per plant in both environments. Highly positive indirect effects on seed yield per plant were exerted by biological yield per plant via number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight, pods per plant, harvest index and plant height; seeds per pod via biological yield per plant and harvest index; harvest index via 100 seed weight and biological yield per plant in both the environments. Significantly inter correlation among traits are useful in breeding programme for improvement of yield and its component traits.