Association Studies for Yield and its Related Traits of Fodder Cowpea in F 4 Generation

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is one of the important food legumes and a valuable component of the traditional cropping systems. Correlations and path analysis aid in the selection of superior genotypes from the breeding population. High positive significant phenotypic and genotypic correlations were observed for traits plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf weight, stem weight, green fodder yield and crude protein content. Days to 50 per cent flowering showed negative significant relationshipat both the levels. The genotypic and phenotypic intercorrelation were expressed by the characters plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf weightstem weightand green fodder yield. the direct effect of the characters plant height to number of leaves, number of branches, leaf length, leaf breadth, stem thickness, stem weight, leaf stem ratio and crude protein content revealed the direct contribution to yield in the positive direction. Negative direct effect was noticed in days to 50 per cent flowering and leaf weight to dry matter yield. The green fodder yield exhibited the maximum direct effect on yield.