Genetic association studies for yield and yield related traits in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]
Twenty three pigeonpea genotypes were evaluated in a randomized block design during Kharif 2012-13. The objective of this research was to assess inter-relationships, direct and indirect effects among yield and its components for genetic improvement of pigeonpea. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences for all characters under study among the genotypes. Considering the correlation analysis biological yield/plant, pods/plant, 100-seed weight, harvest-index and secondary branches/plant had highly significant positive correlation with seed yield. Path analysis identified biological yield/plant followed by harvest-index, pods/plant, days to maturity, primary branches/plant 100-seed weight and seeds/pod as most important direct yield components while biological yield/plant and harvest-index as most important indirect components. Hence, these traits should be given much emphasis at the time of devising selection strategy to achieve a quantum jump in pigeonpea yield.