Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

The significant positive correlation was observed between seed yield per plant with plant height, number of secondary branches per plant, number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight. While, seed yield per plant exhibited significant negative correlation with days to 50 percent flowering and days to maturity both at phenotypic and genotypic level.

In the present study, path coefficient analysis showed that 100 seed weight (0.721) had highest direct effect on seed yield per plant followed by number of pods per plant (0.660), number of seeds per pod (0.232), number of secondary branches per plant (0.202) and plant height (0.065). These direct effects are mainly responsible for positive association of these characters with seed yield per plant. Path coefficient analysis revealed that 100-seed weight had highest direct effect on seed yield per plant followed by number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, number of secondary branches per plant, plant height. Whilst, days to 50 percent flowering and days to maturity showed negative direct effect. The number of secondary branches exerted its effect on seed yield through number of pods per plant and 100 seed weight suggesting that the indirect selection through such traits would be effective in yield improvement.

Therefore, emphasis should be given on 100 seed weight, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and number of secondary branches per plant while making selection for desired improvement for grain yield in chickpea.