Correlation and path coefficient analysis among seed yield and yield related traits of Ethiopian chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) landraces

The experiment was done on 202 new chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) landraces with 2 checks to assess the association, direct and indirect effect of different characters on yield. The experiment was planted at Sirinka and Jari, Ethiopia, under rain fed condition in 2016 using alpha lattice design with three replications. Data were collected on yield and yield related traits. Analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among genotypes. The correlation of grain yield with biomass and with harvest index was positive and highly significant both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. In addition, its association with pod filling period, plant height, secondary branches and hundred seed mass was positive but insignificant both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis at genotypic level showed that among the 15 causal (independent) traits; biomass, harvest index, pod length, days to pod setting, pod filing period, canopy width, primary branches, secondary branches, and number of pods per plant had positive and directly influence on grain yield. Although the days to flowering, plant height and hundred seed mass had positive genotypic correlation with grain yield. In general correlation coupled with path coefficient analysis revealed that biomass and harvest index had a direct relationship with seed yield.