In the present study, 30 advanced backcross lines (BC1F5 and BC2F4) along with their parents were evaluated for 13 quantitative and quality traits in randomized block design with two replications. Yield is a polygenic and complex trait, which is significantly influenced by the environment. Direct selection for yield is less efficient, indirect selection through yield contributing traits can greatly enhance efficiency of plant breeding. The components of genetic variance revealed that phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) values was higher than genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) for all the characters indicating the environment effect on genotypes. High GCV and PCV were recorded for number of pods per plant whereas, high heritability coupled with high GAM was observed in number of pods per plant, plant height, seed yield per plant and pod yield per plant. Pod yield per plant showed a positive and significant association with number of pods per plant, seed yield per plant, shelling outturn, pod length and 100 seed weight at both genotypic and phenotypic level. Path analysis revealed that seed yield per plant showed high positive direct effect whereas, shelling outturn and 100 seed weight contributed significant amount of indirect effects towards pod yield per plant.

Groundnut, GCV, PCV, genetic advance, heritability

From the above discussions, on variability and genetic parameters, it is evident that number of pods per plant, plant height, pod yield per plant and seed yield per plant showed high heritability coupled with high GAM which, depicts these traits are less influenced by environment and governed by additive gene effects hence, simple direct selection may be effective to improve these traits. Correlation coefficient analysis revealed that seed yield per plant showed highly positive and significant association with pod yield per plant followed by number of pods per plant, shelling out turn, pod length, number of secondary branches per plant, 100 seed weight, pod width, oil and protein content are the most essential characters, which might contribute significantly towards higher pod yield per plant. Path analysis revealed that seed yield per plant showed high positive direct effect whereas, shelling outturn and 100 seed weight contributes significant amount of indirect effects towards pod yield per plant. Hence, they may be regarded as important traits for selecting high yield in groundnut.

V. Mani Prasad, CH. V. Durga Rani, G. Seshu and S.N.C.V.L. Pushpavalli (2023). Studies on Genetic variability, Correlation and Path coefficient Analysis for Yield Contributing and Quality Traits in Marker Assisted Derived Advanced Backcross Lines of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(11): 263-269.