Estimation of the various genetic variability parameters for seed yield and its component traits in Mothbean germplasm [ Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal]

Abstract

Moth bean is mostly grown in the arid zones as an important kharif pulse crop. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences for all the twelve quantitative characters of fifty genotypes indicating presence of adequate variability. The higher PCV and GCV was observed for harvest index (38.02%, 36.06%) followed by seed yield per plant (34.18%, 33.82%) and number of pods per plant (23.97%, 17.86%). Most of the characters possessed high heritability. The genetic advance as per cent mean was highest for harvest index (70.47%) followed by seed yield per plant (68.96%), number of seeds per pod (35.64%). Association of high heritability with larger magnitude of expected genetic advance was estimated for traits which might be governed by additive genes. For genetic improvement, their amelioration can be brought by simple selection over a short span of time.