Correlation and path co-efficient analysis for yield and its attributing traits in Chilli (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.)

The present investigation was conducted to find the correlation and path-coefficient analysis for yield and its attributing traits in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes during summer 2022. The experiment was conducted by selecting twenty four chilli genotypes grown under the shade house for 15 characters. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with two replications. Correlation studies revealed that average dry fruit yield per plant showed highly significant and positive correlation with plant height, plant spread, number of primary branches, pollen viability, fruit weight, total leaf area, stomatal conductance and total chlorophyll content at both phenotypic and genotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis for average dry fruit yield per plant revealed that, plant height, plant spread, number of primary branches, pollen viability, days to first fruit picking, fruit weight and total chlorophyll content showed positive direct effects at both phenotypic and genotypic levels. Hence, direct selection based on these characters would be effective in genetic improvement of chilli for developing high temperature tolerant genotypes in chilli.