PATH COEFFICIENT AND CORRELATION ANALYSIS BETWEEN FORAGE YIELD AND ITS AFFECTING COMPONENTS IN COMMON VETCH (VICIA SATIVA L.)

It was assessed simple correlation coefficients between fresh forage yield and seven affecting yield components in the common vetch (Vicia saliva L.) and determined the direct and indirect effects of the yield components on fresh forage yield using path coefficient analysis of data collected over three consecutive growing seasons. Field trials were performed at the GAP International Agricultural Research and Training Center (GAP IARTC) in Diyarbakir, Turkey during the 2008-09,2009-10, and 2010-11 growing seasons with winter sowings. The experiments used a randomized block design with three replications. Path coefficients and simple correlation coefficient analysis showed that the yield component traits with the greatest effects on fresh forage yield were dry matter yield and main stem height. The direct effects of both traits on fresh forage yield were strong and positive. In addition, the indirect effects of both of the traits were considerably higher than those of the other traits. Consequently, dry matter yield and main stem height traits should be used as the primary selection criteria for improving forage yield in common vetch.