Genetic variability studies for yield and its contributing traits in greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek

Abstract

Greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] a short duration legume crop grown throughout the year, faces biological constraints like indeterminate growth habit, YMV incidence, pod shattering and low harvest index ultimately leading to low yield. Genetic variability parameters were studied in fifty one greengram genotypes raised during kharif 2017 in randomised block design with two replications. Observations were made for twelve biometrical traits. The estimates of PCV was higher than GCV for all the characters. Plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant and single plant yield recorded high GCV estimates. High heritability was observed for plant height and 100 seed weight where as high genetic advance as percent of mean was recorded for petiole length, peduncle length, plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, 100 seed weight and single plant yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for plant height and 100 seed weight. The high degree of variability observed among genotypes for different yield contributing traits could be utilized in the breeding program for the improvement of greengram.