The present investigation entitled “Study the correlation coefficient and path coefficient for the yield and yield component of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) was carried out at Main Experiment Station, Department of Vegetable Science, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.) during summer-2017, to evaluate the available genotypes, to estimate the correlation coefficient and to work out the path coefficient analysis for yield and its component traits of 30genotypes, with three replications in randomized block design. Estimates of correlation and path coefficients can define the mutual relationship between plant characters and determine component characters on which selection can be based for improvement in yield. It might be easier to increase yield by increasing the smallest yield components on an otherwise good cultivar. Thirty genotypes of bitter gourd were evaluated for yield contributing characters to observe their associations and direct and indirect effect on fruit yield. In most cases the genotypic correlation coefficient was higher than the respective phenotypic correlation coefficients indicating the suppressive effect of environment modified phenotypic expression of these characters by reducing phenotypic correlation values. The higher magnitude of coefficient of variation at phenotypic as well as genotypic levels were observed for phenotypic in no. of fruit per plant followed by fruit yield per plant (kg), vinelength (m), fruit length (cm), node no. to anthesis of first staminate flower, average fruit weight (g), node no. to anthesis of first pistillate flower, no. of nodes per vine and lower value in days of first fruit harvest followed by days to anthesis of first pistillate flower, days to anthesis of first staminate flower, fruit diameter. The phenotypic correlation coefficients between different characters were generally similar in magnitude and nature to the corresponding genotypic correlation coefficient. The significant and positive correlation with yield per plant was observed at phenotypic level with average fruit weight and no. of fruits per plant. The analysis of path coefficient indicating appreciable amount of direct positively effect of no. of fruits per plant and fruit yield per plant followed by vine length on fruit yield per plant.

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