Genetic variability for quantitative and quality traits in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp

Abstract

The field experiment comprised of  30 cowpea genotypes were evaluated for genetic variability for important quantitative and quality traits during the Summer 2019 season. Analysis of variance showed that there was  significant differences among the genotypes evaluated for all the characters studied. A  high value of phenotypic coefficient of variation than genotypic coefficient of variation was  observed for all the characters which revealed the influence of environment for phenotypic expression of the traits. High heritability and the high genetic advance were  observed for days to 50% flowering, leaf width, the number of nodes on main stem, the number of main branches, the number of pods per plant, length of pod, the number of seeds per pod, test weight, seed yield per plant, fat content, lignin content and host preference mechanism of pulse beetle on the grain of cowpea indicating that the characters are governed by additive gene action and the characters which can be improved by simple selection. On Mahalanobis D2 statistics, the genotypes were grouped into four clusters. A  maximum number of genotypes was observed in  cluster I with 16 genotypes followed by clusters II and III with 8 genotypes each and cluster IV with solitary genotype. On the basis of divergence classes studied the genotypes viz., PMCP-1021, CP-20, CP-25, CP-26, CP-7, CP-2-1, CP-15, CP-9-1, CP-17, CP-2-1, PCP-1809, PCP-1124, PCP-1123, Phule Rukmini and Phule Pandhari can be used for the further breeding programme.   Keywords: Cowpea, Genetic diversity, Heritability, Genetic advance