Character association and path coefficient analysis in vegetable cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season 2016 to determine correlation coefficient and path analysis among 27 genotypes for fifteen characters comprised of pod yield and its contributing characters. These genotypes were planted in Randomized Block Design with three replications during Kharif, 2016 -17 at Horticulture Farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner. The result revealed that at genotypic and phenotypic level maximum significant and positive correlation was shown by pod yield quintal per hectare with pod yield per plant, followed by pod length. The results of path coefficient analysis indicated that at the genotypic level, the effect was significant and positive on pod yield per plant of characters pod length, number of pods per plant, number of clusters per plant, nitrogen content in pod, protein content in pod, number of pickings and significant negative effects shown by plant height at 45 days, number of primary branches per plant and days to first picking. Maximum direct effect was shown by number of clusters per plant. Hence, these characters may be simultaneously selected for developing better quality high yielding varieties of vegetable cowpea.