Genetic Variability, Traits Association and Path Coefficient Analysis in Advanced Lines of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

G roundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an allotetraploid (2n=4x=40), most probably originated in the region of eastern foothills of Andes, Southern Bolivia, and Northern Argentina (Hampannavar and Khan, 2019). It is widely grown as an oilseed and food crop in more than 144 countries worldwide, where commercial production mostly confined between 40°S and 40°N latitudes. Groundnut is presumed to be domesticated in South America about 6 thousand years ago followed by widely distribution in post-Columbian times. As a rich source of seed oil (~46-58%) and protein (~22-32%), it has great potential to cope with the problem of malnutrition and to ensure food security (Zhuang et al., 2019). Groundnut is also a good source of minerals and vitamins including vitamin E, niacin, phosphorus, falcin, calcium,) is an important grain legume crop. However, there is still great need to develop superior varieties and lift its production. Germplasm characterization plays a vital role in improved cultivars' development. The current study was conducted to estimate genetic variability, traits association, and path coefficient analysis in eleven groundnut advanced breeding lines together with check vis BARD-479, using randomized complete block design with three replications at National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan. Through One-Way Analysis of variance significant discrepancies were found among the genotypes for most of the traits. In this study 100 kernels weight was found in significant positive correlation (0.821 **) with twenty pods length, while in significant negative correlation (-0.850 **) with plant width. Similarly, the trait of dry pods yield was in significant positive correlation (1.216**) with plant height, while was significant negatively correlated (-.850**) with number of branches. A strong positive direct effect was observed between twenty pods length (5.548), shelling percentage (4.630), 100-kernels weight (3.738), and leaflet length (2.950) with dry pods yield, indicating the importance of traits linkage in groundnut genotypes improvement. A weak direct effect was found among morphological traits i.e., number of branches (1.419), plant height (.311), and plant width (1.058). A strong indirect effect was witnessed by Leaflet width (-2.225) with dry pods yield. Furthermore, genotypes PG-1221, PG-1259, PG-1254, and PG-1266 were found with promising yield potential of 3637 Kg/ha, 3430 Kg/ha, 3286 Kg/ha, and 3176 Kg/ha, respectively, hence recommended for further evaluation through future breeding program.

D2 Analysis to Evaluate the Genetic Diversity of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

“…Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed to analyze the genetic divergence and the outcomes revealed substantial differences for all examined variables, demonstrating that the D 2 Analysis to Evaluate the Genetic Diversity of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes had sufficient variation (Table 2). The analysis of variance results agreed with those of Chandrasekhara et al (2020), Jahanzaib et al (2020), Shrotri et al (2021), Preeti and Sikarwar (2022), John et al (2013), Maurya et al (2014), Vasanti et al (2015 and Narasimhulu et al (2012). High phenotypic variety among genotypes makes it typically recommended to use them as donors in breeding programmes or to release them as commercial varieties.…”

Cultivating Success: A Comprehensive Analysis of Integrated Weed Management Strategies and Their Impact on Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Yield and Sustainability

“…The study also revealed that the dry pod yield of organic mulch treatment was statistically at par with Pre emergence application of S metalochlor @2L/ha + post emergence application of Quizalofop P @ 2L/ha but it was not economically feasible for groundnut. This might be due to the cost of cultivation of groundnut crop was increased in treatment organic mulch due to the higher need of human labours and their higher wages (Nawaz et al, 2022;Jahanzaib et al, 2020 and2019). This cost was reduced in treatment S metalochlor @2L/ha + post emergence application of Quizalofop P @ 2L/ha by using herbicides to effective control of weeds with minimizing human labours.…”

“…Cultivation of groundnut as rain fed crop, lack of knowledge among the farmers about cultivation of groundnut with modem technology, unawareness of improved varieties and improper fertilization etc. are some causes of lower productivity of groundnut in Pakistan (Tatsumi et al, 2023;Jahanzaib et al, 2020). Along with these, the major cause of minimizing production is severe weed infestation in crop.…”