Genetic Variability Analysis in F3Populations of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaeaL.)

Abstract

Nine crosses involving foliar diseases viz., late leaf spot and rust susceptible (as female) and resistant (as male) parents in F3 generation were studied for mean performance and variability parameters. Susceptible female parents viz., CO 7, ICGV 00350, TMV 2, TMV Gn 13, VRI 2 and resistant male parents viz., COG 0437, GPBD 4, VRI Gn 6 were involved in these crosses. Among the crosses, the cross VRI 2 × GPBD 4 recorded higher mean performance for yield characters viz., pod yield per plant (g) and kernel yield per plant (g), and lower mean performance for disease score viz., late leaf spot and rust. It also recorded high PCV and GCV values coupled with high heritability and high genetic advance as per cent of the mean for all the traits studied. Hence based on low performance, variability, heritability and genetic advance (as a per cent of mean) for pod yield, kernel yield and foliar disease resistance, the cross VRI 2 × GPBD 4 is adjudged as superior. Considering the progeny wise performance, the progeny #1 and #2 of the cross VRI 2 × GPBD 4 could be selected due to the superior mean performance for yield characters along with disease resistance. These progenies recorded high or moderate coefficient of variation for the entire characters understudy. Hence, these progenies need to be advanced further till the attainment of homogeneity to obtain high yield in conjugation with resistance to foliar diseases.