www.ijpab.com 194 Studies on Variability, Character Association and Path Analysis on Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) V. Thirumala Rao*, V. Venkanna, D. Bhadru and D. Bharathi Regional Agricultural Research Station, Warangal Acharya N.G.Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500 0030 (A.P.) India *Corresponding Author E-mail: thirugene9@yahoo.com ______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT The extent amenable genetic variability and association of important agronomic characters were determined in set of 50 Groundnut genotypes. Analysis of variance revealed the existence of significant differences among genotypes for all characters studied. The magnitude of PCV and GCV was moderate to high for number of pods per plant and plant height, kernel yield, dry pod yield, hundred kernel weight, and dry haulm yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for hundred kernel weight, Dry pod yield, kernel yield, plant height and number of pods per plant indicating the role of additive gene in expressing these traits. Dry pod yield was significant positively correlated with kernel yield, number of pods per plant, hundred kernel weight and dry haulm yield. Path coefficient analysis indicated that number of pods per plant and hundred kernel weight was important traits to be considered for realizing the improvement in yield. Keywords: Genetic variability, Correlation path analysis and Groundnut. ______________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Groundnut or peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important food and cash crop for resource-poor farmers in Asia and Africa and it can be consumed and utilized in diverse ways. It is primarily grown for edible oil (48–50%) as well as for direct consumption by people. In addition, groundnut haulms and groundnut cake (after oil extraction) are excellent animal feed. Information on extent of genetic variability and role of important yield determining traits is paramount importance for their skilful engineering in new ideotype exploiting the breeding material in hand. The presence of variability in crop is important for genetic studies and consequently used for improvement and selection. Selection for high yielding types with wider adaptability shall be not only very useful but shall help in increasing the production both locally and globally. Genetic improvement of seed yield, alone, is not possible through phenotypic selection because of polygenic nature and low heritability. Hence, resorting to selection through correlated response entailing several contributing factors which influence seed production both directly and indirectly shall be most appropriate. The path coefficient analysis is one of the effective technique to sought out inter relationship between different yield characters and their direct and indirect effect on yield through correlation values. The present study was undertaken to understand variability and the relationship between various characters and their contribution to yield. MATERIALS AND METHODS The material in the present investigation consists of 50 genotypes including two checks were sown in randomized complete block design (RBD) with two replications at Acharya N.G Ranga Agricultural University, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jagtial during Kharif 2012. Each genotype was raised in 5m length with spacing of 30 X 10 cm. Recommended agronomic practices were followed to raise a good crop. Observations were recorded on days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height(cm), Available online at www.ijpab.com ISSN: 2320 – 7051 Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. 2 (2): 194-197 (2014) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PURE & APPLIED BIOSCIENCE Research Article