Correlation coefficient and genetic divergence analysis in pea

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to ascertain correlation, path coefficient and genetic divergence of different traits among the strains for their utilization in crop improvement programs. Days to first flower and seed yield showed the highest positive and significant correlation with seed yield, length of internodes, days to first green pod harvest, number of primary branches, length of pods, breadth of pods, number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant, pod yield per plant. All the 12 strains were grouped into 4 clusters. Cluster I retained the maximum number of genotypes while cluster II and cluster III also had 3 genotypes of each and while cluster IV each accommodated only one genotype. The maximum value of inter cluster distance was observed for cluster I. Cluster IV showed the maximum value of cluster mean for length of pods, breadth of pods, number of seeds/pod, number of pods/plant, pod yield per plant, seed yield per plant and shelling percent. This cluster consist of only one genotype i.e. PSM-3. This strain is, thus, suitable for creating much variability for these characters in further hybridization programme.