Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is the fourth most important oilseed crop in the world, grown across tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions. Due to its mode of origin,  self-pollinating nature, limited use of wild relatives and difficulty in developing hybrids, it has developed a relatively narrow genetic base. In such a scenario, it is crucial to create new variability for breeding high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties. Since yield is a complex trait, a clear understanding of genetic parameters among the genotypes under study is necessary to design an effective breeding strategy. This study aims to identify traits that directly and indirectly influence kernel yield in groundnut genotypes and utilise them in future breeding programs to enhance yield potential. The current research was conducted at the Research Farm, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, R.V.S.K.V.V. Gwalior (M.P.), kharif 2022. The study focused on 34 different groundnut genotypes. A line x tester mating design was employed, utilising 6 lines and 4 testers. All genotypes, including 10 parental lines and 24 F₁ hybrids, were cultivated using a Randomised Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Data were collected for ten traits, including Days to 50% flowering, Days to maturity, Plant height (cm), Number of branches per plant, Number of pods per plant, 100 kernel weight (g), Sound mature kernel (%), Shelling outturn (%), Pod yield per plant (g), and Kernel yield per plant (g). Genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients, along with genotypic and phenotypic path coefficient analysis, were estimated.  The analysis of variance revealed that the crosses exhibited significant variances, indicating the presence of genetic variability for all characters. The mean squares due to lines were significant for a few characters except for days to maturity, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, hundred-kernel weight and shelling outturn percentage. The mean square due to testers showed similar results and were significant for most of the traits, except days to 50 % flowering, days to maturity, plant height, hundred-kernel weight and shelling outturn percentage. Kernel yield per plant showed a significant and positive association with plant height, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, hundred-kernel weight, sound mature kernel, shelling outturn percentage and pod yield per plant. Phenotypic path coefficient analysis revealed maximum positive direct effect was by pod yield per plant, number of branches per plant, days to 50% flowering, plant height, shelling outturn, number of pods per plant, and sound mature kernel. At the genotypic level, the maximum positive direct effect was contributed by days to 50% flowering, followed by pod yield per plant, number of branches per plant, plant height, sound mature kernel, shelling outturn percentage and number of pods per plant. The present study demonstrated significant genetic variability among the crosses for all traits, indicating ample scope for selection and improvement in groundnut. Furthermore, these findings suggest that selection based on pod yield per plant, number of branches, and days to 50% flowering would be effective for improving kernel yield in groundnut.