Estimates of genetic variability parameters for yield and yield attributes in groundnut (Arachis hypogaeaL.)

Abstract

Groundnut is an important oilseed crop grown under diverse climatic conditions. The productivity of the crop is considerably affected by foliar fungal diseases, especially late leaf spot and rust which occur together and cause severe yield loss. With an objective of upgrading yield integrated with disease resistance, two cross derivatives in BC2F1 generation were developed by crossing foliar disease susceptible variety CO 7 and two foliar disease resistant parents viz., GPBD 4 and COG 0437 in groundnut. These backcrosses viz., CO 7 × GPBD 4 and CO 7 × COG 0437 were used to study their mean performance, genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean for yield and yield a ributes. High percentage of PCV, GCV, heritability coupled with high GAM were recorded by both the backcrosses for kernel yield per plant, pod yield per plant, number of pods per plant and 100-pod weight. In addition, the characters viz., 100-kernel weight, shell weight, sound mature kernel per cent, late leaf spot and rust score exhibited high/medium coefficient of variation accompanied with high/moderate heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean which indicated the presence of additive gene effect. Thus, upshot of the study clearly indicating that there is a presence of wide spectrum of genetic variation for almost all the characters in both the crosses, suggesting that they respond to selection with greater efficacy for amelioration of kernel and pod yield conjunction with foliar disease resistance in groundnut.