Path analysis for seed yield and its component characters in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) K C Sharma & E V D Sastry Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner, (Rajasthan Agricultural University) Rajasthan, India Abstract Fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an important spice crop of Rajasthan. A vast germplasm collection is maintained at S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner. Two hundred forty lines from this germplasm along with five promising varieties namely RMt-1, RMt-143, UM-144, UM-303 and local check were evaluated in an augmented block design at the research farm of S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner on light textured soil. Results indicate that the genotypes showed significant differences for all the characters under study. All the character had more than 80% broad sense heritability but only seed yield per plant, biological yield and pods per plant had above 50% genetic advance expressed as % of mean. The association analysis revealed that the seed yield per plant was significant and positively associated with plant height, primary branches per plant, pods per plant, pod length, seeds per pod and biological yield at both phenotypic and genotypic levels and with test weight at phenotypic level. Further path coefficient analysis revealed that characters such as biological yield, pods per plant and primary branches per plant were the important characters for the selection of high yielding genotypes as they exerted positive direct effect as well as showed positive correlation with seed yield at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Key words: Variability, correlation, fenugreek path coefficient. Introduction Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), is a multipurpose crop grown during winter season in northern Indian. It is one of the most important leafy vegetables in India which is also grown for fodder, spices and condiments purpose. In recent past, its high market price has attracted the farmers to include this crop in their cropping system. Its seed has both feed and medicinal value particularly against digestive disorders. Whereas its leaves are rich source of protein, mineral and vitamin C. Being a leguminous crop, the root nodules enrich the soil with atmospheric nitrogen. In the recent years, the importance of fenugreek seed has further enhanced due to the presence of alkaloids 'diosgenin' and 'trigonellin' having pharmaceutical use. Therefore in true sense it is multipurpose crop having paramount importance. Because of low water requirement, the crop fits well in the cropping system in the semi arid agro climatic system of Rajasthan. Despite the economic importance it is cultivated on the marginal land with poor fertility; the productivity is still very low. Lack of improved varieties results in the cultivation of local genotypes. Journal of Spices and Aromatic Crops Volume 17 (2) : 69-74 (2008) Indian Society for Spices