Studies on genetic variability and character association in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill sp.)

Abstract

Fourty eight Pigeonpea(Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill sp) genotypes were evaluated for yield and yield component characters indicated the existence of considerable genetic variation in the present investigation. The components of variance revealed that the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters studied indicating the role of environmental variance in the total variance. The magnitude of PCV and GCV was moderate to high for seed yield per plant and number of pods per plant. Heritability in broad sense was higher in most of the characters viz., test weight, days to maturity, days to 50 per cent of flowering, seed yield per plant, number of pods per plant and number of branches per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for seed yield per plant, number of pods per plant and test weight. indicating the role of additive gene in expressing these traits. Seed yield was significant positive association with number of pods per plant, number of branches per plant and test weight and these are major yield contributing traits to be given selection pressure for improving yield.