Character association analysis for yield, its component traits in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh]

Forty five genotypes of pigeonpea were used to investigate the nature and magnitude of association of seed yield with major agronomic characters viz., days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length (cm), number of seeds per pod, seed yield per plant (g), test weight (g), harvest index (%), leaf area (cm2) and protein content (%).This research also focussed on finding the direct and indirect effect of the various yield contributing characters on seed yield by path coefficient analysis. Correlation studies, revealed the positive and significant relationship of number of pods per plant, leaf area, plant height, test weight, number of branches per plant, harvest index, pod length and days to flowering with seed yield. The path coefficient analysis indicated that characters viz., number of pods per plant, days to maturity, pod length, protein content, leaf area, harvest index and test weight should be considered as selection indices in seed yield improvement programme as they recorded high direct effects on seed yield per plant.