Genetic Variability, Heritability, Genetic Advance and Association Studies in Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

Abstract

Background: In Tamil Nadu blackgram is cultivated in 4.02 lakhs hectare with the production of 2.25 millon tonnes and productivity of 559 kg/ha. Even though it has great importance, blackgram cultivation is ignored as minimum attention is given towards its genetic improvement. There are various reasons for the low production of crop like lack of genetic variability, absence of suitable ideotype, susceptibility to biotic and abiotic stresses and planting in marginal areas of farming. Hence, it is important to improve the productivity of blackgram. Methods: The present investigation was carried out on 44 blackgram genotypes at field experimentation site of Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Aruppukkottai, Virudhunagar District, to study genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation and path effects of seven important yield contributing traits including yield trait. Result: Highest GCV and PCV value observed for seed yield per plant and for plant height. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean were recorded for plant height and seed yield (kg/ha) and selection of these traits was useful for further improvement in plant breeding programme. Association analysis revealed that seed yield exhibited significant and positive correlated with plant height and number of pods/plant. Yield component traits viz., plant height, number of pods/plant, 100 seed weight and single plant yield were highly correlated among themselves. It was observed that plant height and number of pod/plant had the maximum positive direct effects on seed yield. The indirect effect of plant height on grain yield was positive through days to maturity, days to fifty percent flowering and number of pods per plant. Hence selection of plants based on plant height and number of pods/plant will help the improvement of seed yield in blackgram.