Correlation and Path Analysis in Indian Barnyard Millet (Echinochloa frumentacea (L.)) Germplasm

Sixty four genotypes were evaluated to determine correlation and path analysis among the grain yield and its attributing characters. Correlation analysis disclose that the grain yield per plant had positive significant correlation with majority of traits like basal tillers (rp= 0.182** and rg=0.2201**), 1000 seed weight (rp=0.2369* and rg=0.2923**), Panicle weight per plant (rp=0.7476** and rg=0.8398**), Peduncle length (rp=0.1944** and rg= 0.2058**) at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. It means that these characters are predominantly controlled by additive gene action and hence selection for these traits will lead to the improvement in grain yield. The path analysis showed that traits like panicle length (P= 0.0284 and G=0.1026), test weight (P=0.0773 and G= 0.0568), panicle weight per plant (P=0.7727 and G=0.8396), calcium (P=0.1055 and G=1029), iron (P=0.1813 and G= 0.1268) recorded on grain yield per plant with high positive direct effect suggesting the importance of selection for these characters can be done directly.