Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis in the BC2F2 population of groundnut

The present study was carried out in the backcross population of groundnut involving TMV 7 and ICG 15419. Allele-specific primers were used to screen the population for high oleic acid and a total of 11 yield-contributing traits were included in this study. The number of primary and secondary branches had higher estimates of PCV and GCV whereas pod yield per plant had moderate PCV but low GCV. Along with the variability parameters, plant height, number of primary and secondary branches, pod width, 100 pod weight, oleic acid content and linoleic acid content had good estimates of heritability and genetic advance as a percent of the mean, whereas pod yield per plant had moderate and low, heritability and GAM respectively, with a negatively significant skewed distribution. Association analysis exhibited a positive correlation between the number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, pod length and 100 pod weight with pod yield per plant and it was evident that oleic acid was indirectly proportional to linoleic acid content. Hundred pod weights had the highest direct effect on pod yield per plant. Selection based on traits with a better relationship with pod yield per plant and moderate to high estimates of PCV, GCV, heritability and genetic advancement would help in accelerating the groundnut improvement program. High oleic, low linolenic lines of BC2F2 with better pod yield would be forwarded to the next generation.