Abstract: Nine newly bred peanut varieties in south China were used in the study. Correlation analysis showed that the percentages of plump pods and shelling were very significantly correlated with the plant productivity. The stem height, branch length and pod branches of a peanut plant were positively, but not significantly, correlated to its productivity. The total number of branches and 100-pod weight were negatively correlated with the plant productivity. Path analysis showed that the direct path coefficients between the yield traits and plant productivity ranging from high to low were as follows: shelling percentage, branch length, 100-pod weight, total branch number, plump pod percentage, pod branches and stem height. In breeding high-yield peanut varieties, selection of the traits, such as pod number, plump pods, shelling and pod size should be important. While, other agronomic characteristics could be secondary for consideration.

Key words: Peanut, agronomic characteristics, correlation analysis, path analysis