Path analysis of yield and yield components in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under controlled and BCMV infection conditions

In order to study cause and effect of seed yield with some agronomical traits in bean genotypes, two experiments were conducted under field conditions. Twenty five common bean genotypes were sown in 2 separate RCB design with three replications under non-infected and infected conditions. First, phenotypic correlation coefficient of traits with each other was counted. At non-infected conditions number of secondary stem, harvest index, reproduction period and under infected conditions number of seeds in plant, number of seeds in pod and harvest index showed significant correlation with seed yield at 0.05 & 0.01 probability levels. Stepwise regression and then path analysis were used to determine the traits that were effective on seed yield. In stepwise regression analysis seed yield was the dependent and other traits were as independent variables. At non-infected conditions number of secondary stem, harvest index and main stem length were entered in regression model respectively and explained 84% of seed yield variations. In this manner, under infected conditions, harvest index, plant weight and number of seeds in pod justified 93% of seed yield variations. On the basis of achieved results, harvest index was introduced as profitable selection index at non-infected and infected conditions. In order to results of path analysis after harvest index at non-infected conditions number of secondary stem and at infected conditions number of seeds in pod were introduced as suitable indices.