Studies on character association and path analysis under drought in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Groundnut yield in rainfed areas has been limited by drought stress because pod yield and other growth parameters have been severely affected. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between yield and yield components under drought, it will serve to make simultaneous selection of various characters. Dry pod yield exhibited significant positive association with pods per plant, 100-kernel weight and SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR). Partitioning of phenotypic correlation coefficients of various component characters with dry pod yield into direct and indirect contribution revealed that the direct effect was high and positive for pods per plant, SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR) and 100-kernel weight. It could be inferred the reliance on pods per plant, 100-kernel weight and SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR) resulted in improvement of pod yield in groundnut under drought.