Genetic variability, correlation, and path coefficient analysis for yield and yield contributing characters in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

The present investigation consisted of 35 Soybean genotypes used for studying genetic variability parameters, correlation and path analysis which was carried out at the Agricultural research station, Kasbe-Digraj (Sangli) during Kharif-2022 in Randomized Block Design with two replications. The data was recorded for 10 quantitative characters of which 3 are nutritional quality characters. The character seed yield per plant exhibited the highest genotypic coefficient of variation as well as the phenotypic coefficient of variation. A high phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was estimated for trypsin inhibitor activity, 100 seed weight, number of pods per plant and number of primary branches per plant. Maximum heritability was observed for trypsin inhibitor activity which was followed by seed yield per plant, oil content, 100 seed weight, number of primary branches per plant, plant height, protein content, number of pods per plant and days to maturity. The high estimates of genetic advance as a percentage of the mean were recorded for seed yield per plant followed by trypsin inhibitor activity, 100 seed weight, number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, plant height and oil content. The seed yield per plant showed a significant and positive association with the number of pods per plant, oil content, trypsin inhibitor activity and 100-seed weight. The character's protein content and days to maturity was found significant but negatively correlated with seed yield per plant. The path coefficient analysis indicated that the number of pods per plant registered the maximum positive direct effect on seed yield followed by days to maturity, 100 seed weight, trypsin inhibitor content and oil content.