Path coefficient analysis of yield and yield components in promising lentil (Lens culinaris L.) genotypes under dry land conditions

An experiment was conducted to study relationships between grain yield with yield components, some physiological characters and determine the most effective characters on grain yield of lentil varieties, one advanced line and one selected landrace genotype from Ardabil region local population, under dry farming conditions in Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station of Ardabil. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with replications. Results showed significant variation among studied genotypes for all measured characters. Ggenotypes ILL 8095, ILL 989 and ILL 60 produced higher grain yield. Path analysis of characters showed that pod numbers per plant and 00 grain weight were the most important effective components on grain yield with direct effect of. 055 and. 8, respectively. Positive direct effect of harvest index and biological yield on grain yield were nonsignificant. The highest positive indirect effects of these traits on yield occurred through number of full pods and 00 grain weight. Direct effects of total pod numbers per plant, lateral branch numbers per plant and the days to maturity on yield were negative. Results of this investigation indicated that characteristics of full pod numbers, 00 grain weight, harvest index, number of grains per pod, early flowering and relative water content of leaves can be introduced as selection indices for improving lentil grain yield in dry farming conditions.