Validation of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Mini-core Genotypes for Phenotypic Extremities along with LLS Resistance Through Genetic and Molecular Intervention

Background: The present investigation was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, Tamil Nadu during the year 2022-2023 involving 220 groundnut genotypes along with a resistant and susceptible check towards validation of phenotypic extremities on yield and its contributing traits besides screening against late leaf spot resistance. Methods: The data collected from two hundred and twenty germplasm along with check varieties for thirteen quantitative traits. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis (Mahalanobis, 1936) besides interpreted by various genetic tools such as PCV, GCV, heritability and GAM. Further, ten plants were selected at random from each genotype and observation on late leaf spot disease was recorded based on modified 9 point scale. Result: Molecular analysis for LLS resistance among the groundnut germplasm had shown the concurrent superiority in terms of yield and resistance to late leaf spot disease among the genotypesICG 15233, ICG 8760, ICG 76, ICG 111, ICG 297, ICG 405, ICG 238, ICG 4598, ICG 5051, ICG 6057, ICG 8253, ICG 8285, ICG 10701 and ICG 15234. Hence, these genotypes can be exploited to develop a disease resistance and high yielding groundnut culture.