Abstract

Due to the lack of information on genetic diversity in Ethiopian faba bean (Vicia faba L.) germplasm and the need to study association among seed yield and related components, fifteen genotypes were grown at Sinana Agricultural Research Center and on two farmers’ field at Sinja and Adaba, south Eastern Ethiopia  in 2007/08 cropping season. At Sinana, number of pods/plants, number of seeds/pod and plant height showed significant association with seed yield per plot. Whereas At Adaba, thousand seed weight showed significant association with seed yield per plot. Path analysis for seed yield per plot at Sinana indicates number of pod/plants, seed per pod, thousand seed weight, stand percent and plant height had high positive direct effect at genotypic level. At Sinja, days to flower, days to maturity and number of pods/plant had positive direct effect on seed yield per plot whereas at Adaba stand percentage, days to flower, days to maturity, number of seeds/pod and thousand seed weight showed positive direct effect on seed yield per plot. Path analysis indicates that number of seeds/pod and thousand seed weight were the main determinants of yield per plot at Sinana and Adaba.

Key words: Path analysis, direct and indirect effects, correlation.