Path Coefficient and Selection Indices in Sixteen Guar (Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba L.) Genotypes Under Rain-fed

Abstract

Set of sixteen guar genotypes was evaluated under rain-fed conditions at Kazgeil, Northren Kordofan State, Sudan in 1998/99 season, using a four x four triple partially balanced lattice design. Data recorded at were used for parti- tioning the genotypic correlations between seed yield and five of its components into direct and indirect effects. Moreover, different selection indices were constructed using different combinations of these characters. The path analysis showed that number of pods/plant had the highest positive direct effect (2.653) on seed yield/plant followed by number of seeds per pod. On the other hand number of fruiting nodes/main stem exerted the highest negative direct effect (-1.383) on seed yield/plant. The selection index involving single trait viz.1000 seed weight gave the minimum expected genetic advance (0.6) and rela- tive efficiency (83.33%). However, the index involving all the six traits exhibited the highest expected genetic advance (2.03) and the maximum relative efficiency (281.94%).The two trait selection index of number of pods/plant and 1000-seed weight scored the relative efficiency of 138.89% which is equal to the relative efficiency of the individual trait index of number of reproductive branches/plant.