Assessing Genetic Parameter, Correlation and Path Coefficient in Spontaneous Mutant Progenies of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus ssp. culinaris) Variety DPL 62.

Background: Lentil is one of the most significant pulse crops, frequently referred to as "poor man's meat" because of its high protein content and inexpensive price. The present study was assessed for eleven morphological and yield variables to determine genetic variability, correlation and path co-efficients. Methods: The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design using 56 different homogeneous progenies of a spontaneous mutant of lentil variety DPL 62 and four control varieties in triple replica during rabi 2017-18. Result: Significant amount of variability was observed for all the traits. High phenotypic coefficients of variance and genotypic coefficients of variance coupled with high heritability and genetic advance were observed for peduncle length, number of pods per plant, seed width, seed yield per plant suggesting that these traits are genetically controlled by additive gene action. Seed yield per plant exhibited significant positive association with number of branches/plant and number of pods/plant while number of pods/plant revealed highest positive direct effect on seed yield per plant followed by 100-seed weight, number of branches per plant, days to maturity and leaflet breadth. Therefore, selection for these characters will directly lead to improvement in the yielding ability of lentil genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]