Interrelations between Canopy Architecture and Growth Yield Attribute on Selected Growth Habit Peanut Genotypes

Background: Crop architecture plays a major role in the growth and development of semi determinate crops like peanut.The orientation of branches and leaves in the plant canopy plays a major role in the radiation penetration, which influences the canopy photosynthetic rate and hence the crop productivity. Light penetration and radiation use efficiency effect the drymatter production of many crops. However, links between canopy orientation, growth attributes and yield potentiality of peanut are poorly understood. Hence the aim of the present study was to determine interrelationships among various growth habit peanut genotypes for canopy architecture, canopy photosynthesis, growth parameters and yield attributes. Methods: The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with ten treatments and replicated thrice. Ten spanish bunch peanut genotypes varying in growth habits viz ., decumbent -2, decumbent -3 and erect growth habit.Five plants were selected randomly in each plot by avoiding border rows and recorded canopy traits. Canopy photosynthetic parameters viz ., light interception (Lux meter) and photosynthetic rate (IRGA) were recorded at the grand growth period (45 and 60 DAS). Result: Plant height had a significant negative correlation with peg to pod ratio. Among the various canopy architecture traits, wider angle between primary branch and main stem and number of secondary branches per plant established significantly positive correlation with rate of photosynthesis, radiation use efficiency, growth attributes, pod yield, shelling percentage and test weight. Spreading architecture exhibit a higher maximum quantum yield of photosynthesis.