This study describes the possibility of practical application of the Wright's path analysis method for assessment of the effect of growth dynamics of fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) plants on some seed yield components: shoot length, the length of cluster, the length of productive part of cluster, the number and weight of pods per shoot, the number and weight of seeds and pod weight and thousand seed weight. Weekly increments of plant shoots as affected by hydrothermal conditions were determined to assess growth dynamics. Simple correlation and Wright's path method were applied to assess the effect of growth dynamics on yield components. Applying Wright’s path method allowed assessment of the effect of individual plant growth stages on increment at successive stages, which is impossible at using only simple correlations. Growth rate of eastern galega shoots significantly determined the number of pods per productive part of cluster (58.6%), number of pods on the whole length of cluster (48.9%) and the number of pods per shoot (41.5%). Dynamic plant growth in the initial period of development had a positive effect on the assessed seed yield components, whereas plant growth at its final period (beginning of July) had a negative effect. Shoot length increments in June affected the yield structure only to a slight extent.

31-44