Harvest index in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Summary

Correlation and path coefficient analyses were conducted to find out the characters associated with grain yield and dry matter production and the ways to improve harvest index in lentil.

Correlation studies revealed positive association of harvest index with grain yield but no association with plant dry matter. Grain yield and plant dry matter showed positive correlation with pod number, plant height, and number of primary and secondary branches but negative correlation with 100-seed weight. Generally, the genotypic correlations were in agreement with phenotypic correlations, though the magnitude of the values was higher in the former case. In path analysis, plant height and pod number showed the highest direct effect and, therefore, seem to be the main characters influencing grain yield and plant dry matter. Number of primary and secondary branches, on the other hand, showed negative direct effect on grain yield and plant dry matter. Use of phenotypic or genotypic correlations in path analysis resulted in similar conclusions. It is, therefore, suggested that either phenotypic or genotypic correlations may be used in path analysis with equal efficiency. Based on this study it is suggested to develop tall varieties with good pod bearing but with low number of branches.