Character Association and Path Analysis in F8 Recombinant Inbred Line Population of the Cross NRCG 12568 × NRCG 12326 in Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.)

The present study was undertaken to study the correlation and path association for ten growth and physiological traits related to water use efficiency in groundnut during Kharif 2010. The base material comprised of 196 F₈ recombinant inbred line population developed by crossing NRCG 12568 and NRCG 12326 through single seed descent method. Genotype NRCG 12568 and NRCG 12326 are diverse for trait Carbon Isotopic Discrimination. The studies on Phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients revealed that pod yield per plant had strong positive correlation with pods per plant, kernel yield per plant, sound mature kernel percentage indicating that improvement in these characters will lead to improvement in yield. Whereas significant negative association was observed for pod yield per plant with days to fifty per cent flowering and shelling percentage. Among these characters kernel yield per plant recorded maximum direct effect on pod yield per plant whereas all other characters recorded low direct effects. Sound mature kernel percentage, pods per plant and SLA recorded maximum indirect effect on pod yield plant through kernel yield per plant. The results of the study revealed that the character kernel yield per plant and specific leaf area could be given emphasis for selection of genotypes with high yield coupled with high water use efficiency.