Assessment of genetic variability and inter-character association in the germplasm of cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L. Walp) in hot arid climate

Abstract

Studies on genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis were carried out with 38 accessions of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) evaluated in two environments i. e. kharif 2013 (E1) and kharif 2014 (E2) at Research field of NBPGR, Regional Station Jodhpur, India. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits. Genotypic coefficient of variation was highest for number of clusters per plant followed by number of pods per plant in both the environments. High broad sense heritability along with high genetic advance for seed yield per plant, 100 seed weight, pod length, number of pods per plant, peduncle length, number of clusters per plant, number of branches per plant and plant height indicated the presence of additive gene effects for these traits in cowpea. In both the environments seed yield per plant was positively correlated with 100 seed weight, pod length, number of pods per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of branches per plant and plant height. The highest positive direct effect registered by number of branches per plant followed by number of clusters per plant in E1 environment and by number of branches per plant followed by plant height in E2 environment. The traits like 100 seed weight, plant height, number of pods per plant number of clusters per plant and number of branches per plant were identified as selection criteria for obtaining good parental lines in cowpea breeding programmes.