Component traits influencing seed yield in recombinant inbred lines of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

One hundred and thirty five RILs (Recombinant Inbred Lines) developed from a cross between an indigenous and exotic line of lentil (Lens culinarisMedik.)were evaluated for seed yield and component traits during rabi 2012-13 and 2013-14. Pooled analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the RILsfor all the traits studied. This suggested that there was ample scope for selection of promising RILs for yield improvement in lentil. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were high for pods per plant(32.49% and 26.75%) followed by biological yield per plot(24.38% and 21.28%). Genetic advance was highest for 100-seed weight(47.75%)followed by pods per plant(45.39%). Estimation of phenotypic correlation coefficients indicated that seed yield per plot expressed highly significant and positive correlation with biological yield per plot(0.634), harvest index(0.300) and seeds per pod(0.156). Path coefficient analysis revealed that the traits; biological yield per plot , harvest index, number of pods per plant, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity , plant height and primary branches per plant had positive direct effect on seed yield per plot. The selection of these traits would be helpful for further yield improvement in lentil