Assessment of genetic variability, character association and path analysis of kernel yield and yield components in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

The present study was carried out in the Department of Oilseeds, during rabi, 2021 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the genetic variability, correlation and path analysis using thirty promising genotypes of groundnut. Kernel yield and its component characters were recorded. The magnitude of PCV and GCV values were higher for the characters viz., number of branches, total biomass, 100 kernel weight, leaf area ratio and leaf area index. Total number of branches, total biomass and 100 kernel weight exhibited high heritability and high genetic advance as per cent of mean. Kernel yield showed significant positive association with pod yield, mature pods, number of pods and shelling percentage. The importance of these characters was also confirmed through path analysis, as they had direct implications on kernel yield. As a result, selection based on these traits will result in increased kernel yield in groundnut.