Trait Relationship and their Contribution to Seed Yield in Mungbean: A Correlation and Path Analysis Approach

Abstract

A field experiment with 27 genotypes of mungbean was conducted during late kharif (Sep, 2025–Dec, 2025) at College Farm, College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Bharuch to study the correlation and path coefficient analysis for seed yield and its components traits. The results revealed a highly significant and positive association of seed yield plant-1 with branches plant-1, clusters plant-1, pods cluster-1, pods plant-1, seeds pod-1 and 100-seed weight at genotypic and phenotypic levels. While, pod length showed significant and positive association at genotypic level only, indicating that these attributes were mainly influencing the seed yield in mungbean. Path coefficient analysis indicated that seeds pod-1 exerted the highest positive direct effect on seed yield plant-1, followed by pods cluster-1, clusters plant-1, 100-seed weight, plant height, pods plant-1 and branches plant-1. In contrast, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, pod length and crude protein content negative direct effects on seed yield plant-1suggesting indirect contributions through other traits. The traits namely seeds pod-1, pods cluster-1, clusters plant-1, 100-seed weight, plant height, pods plant-1 and branches plant-1 not only showed high positive direct effects but also maintained significant positive correlations with seed yield plant-1. The significant association of these traits with yield was mainly attributed to their substantial direct contribution rather than indirect influences through other characters. Hence, direct selection for these attributes could be effectively utilized in breeding programs for improving seed yield in mungbean.