Correlation and path coefficient analysis for grain yield and its contributing traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The present experiment was carried out with fifty bread wheat genotypes to estimate correlation coefficients between grain yield and its components and to determine their direct and indirect effects on grain yield using path coefficient analysis. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences for all the characters studied. Grain yield per plant had significant and positive correlation with grain weight per main spike, number of grains per main spike, biological yield per plant and harvest index at both the genotypic and phenotypic levels. Days to maturity had significant and positive correlation with grain yield per plant at genotypic level only. The phenotypic and genotypic path coefficient analysis revealed that the biological yield per plant and harvest index exhibited positive and appreciable direct effects on grain yield per plant. Therefore, more emphasis should be given to both these characters for improvement of grain yield in bread wheat through selection programme.