Path Analysis Reveals Plant Pod Number as the Key Trait for Indirect Selection in Segregating Generations For Pigeonpea Grain Yield
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to analyze phenotypic correlations (r) and perform path analysis in segregating generations (F₃, F₄, F₅, and F₆) derived from the ICPL 90045 × UW10 cross to enable indirect selection of high-yielding plants or lines, optimizing breeding efficiency. Theoretical Framework: Pigeonpea ranks as the sixth most important pulse crop globally but remains underutilized in Brazil. Path analysis decomposes the correlation coefficient into direct and indirect effects, enabling causal interpretation via a structured diagram while controlling for confounding variables. Method: The path diagram considered PROD (grain yield) as the dependent (endogenous) variable and the other five variables as independent (exogenous) variables. Correlations and path analyses were conducted separately for the F3, F4, F5, and F6 generations, as well as for the combined generations. Results and Discussion: The strongest significant correlations (r >0.90) were observed between the number of pods per plant and grain yield per plant (PROD) in all generations. Direct effects of the five independent variables on PROD were largely consistent across generations. Research Implications: For indirect selection in segregating generations of pigeonpea, the path analyses identified plant pod number and plant height as the most important variables for selecting high yield grain plants. Originality/Value: No previous estimates of simple correlation coefficients or path analysis in different segregating generations of pigeonpea crosses were found to guide and facilitate indirect selection of plants or lines, highlighting the novelty and applied relevance of this study.
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4413208534