Cob yield per plant is a complex quantitative trait governed by several interrelated component characters. The present investigation was conducted to assess the nature and magnitude of association among yield and its contributing traits and to determine their direct and indirect effects through correlation and path coefficient analysis in baby corn. The experimental material comprised 75 crosses and 28 parents (25 lines and 3 testers), evaluated at Rajendranagar, Jagityal and Kampasagar locations, along with pooled analysis. Genotypic correlations were generally higher than phenotypic correlations, indicating strong inherent associations among traits, with environmental influence reducing phenotypic expression.
Cob yield per plant showed significant positive association with number of cobs per plant, cob weight, baby corn length, plant height and ear height, whereas it exhibited negative association with days to 50 per cent tasseling and silking across locations and in pooled analysis. Among the yield components, number of cobs per plant and cob weight recorded the strongest and most consistent positive association with cob yield per plant. Path coefficient analysis revealed that number of cobs per plant exerted the highest positive direct effect on cob yield per plant at Rajendranagar, Jagityal and in pooled analysis, while cob weight had the highest direct effect at Kampasagar. Baby corn length and days to 50 per cent silking showed positive direct effects, whereas days to 50 per cent tasseling had a negative direct effect. The low residual effects indicated adequate explanation of yield variation by the traits studied. The results suggest that selection for higher number of cobs per plant, greater cob weight, longer baby corn length and early flowering would be effective for yield improvement in baby corn.
