Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis of Yield and Yield Related Traits in Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) Genotypes at Pawe Northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia groundnut is solely grown by smallholder farmers under dryland conditions in the lowland and drought-prone areas of the country and plays a significant economic role. In the present study, groundnut genotypes were evaluated for quantitative and qualitative traits during the main cropping season of 2021/22 in North, Western Ethiopia Metekel zone at Pawe Agricultural Research Centre the experiment was conducted to evaluate 64 groundnuts genotypes in 8x 8 simple lattice design to generate information on the association of yield and yield related traits, and to determine the direct and indirect effects of yield-related traits on kernel yield. In the study area, groundnut was cultivated under rain-fed conditions. However, due to inadequate improved groundnut varieties found in the study area, the productivity was low1.9 t/ha. Data were recorded for 14 traits and subjected to analysis of variance ANOVA using SAS software version 9.4. Correlation analysis revealed that kernel yield per hectare has shown highly significant (P < 0.001)  positive correlation with pod yield (rg = 0.98**), (rhp = 0.98**), harvest index (rg = 0.68**), (rph = 0.68**), number of pod per plant (rg = 0.64**), (rph = 0.60**), number of seed per pod (rg = 0.64**), (rph = 0.61**), hundred seed weight (rg = 0.48**), (rph = 0.45**), and (shelling percentage (rg = 0.40**), rph = 0.41**) both at phenotypic and genotypic level respectively this indicated the true relationship between the traits. Path analysis for kernel yield per hectare was divided into direct and indirect effects for different characters. The highest positive direct effect on kernel yield was exhibited by pod yield (0.94) followed by days to maturity (0.57), oil content (0.31), and shelling percentage (0.19) at the phenotypic level whereas pod yield (0.94), and shelling percentage (0.18) has a maximum positive direct effect at the genotypic level. The result indicated that there is a good opportunity to improve kernel yield using the tested genotypes in groundnut breeding programs Therefore, emphasis should be given to pod yield followed by days to maturity, and shelling percentage to increase kernel yield production.

Keyword:Correlation, Path, kernel, Variety, Groundnut

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/15-3-01

Publication date:August 31^st 2025