Path analysis of yield and yield components in snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of yield components on bean yield (kg/ha) in a completely randomized block design during two semesters (2019–2020), the performance of 21 bean genotypes (six parents and fifteen hybrids) was evaluated. This experiment was conducted at the CEUNP experimental center of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Palmira. Statistical analysis was based on genetic correlations determined through the "agricolae, aariability, hmisc and tidyverse" libraries in R. Results showed that average pod weight and number of pods per plant contribute positively to yield expression. However, the number of seeds per pod and pod length are components that have a negative contribution on pod yield per area. These results suggested that characters such as average pod weight and number of pods per plant can be considered as selection criteria for the genetic improvement of pod yield in bean. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and Scott-Knott tests (p ≤ 0.05). The analysis was based on genetic correlations determined through the libraries "agricolae, variability, Hmisc and tidyverse" in R. The results showed that average pod weight and number of pods per plant contribute positively to yield expression. However, the number of seeds per pod and pod length are components that have a negative contribution on pod yield per area. These results suggested that characters such as average pod weight and number of pods per plant can be considered as selection criteria for the genetic improvement of pod yield in bean.