Study of genetic variability parameters for seed yield and component traits in mothbean [vigna aconitifolia (jacq) Marechal]

Abstract

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to estimating the genetic variability parameters for seed yield and its component traits in mothbean at Swami Keshwan and Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner during Kharif-2019. Significant differences were existed among genotypes for all 37 characters under study. The high degree of genetic variability along with high heritability and high genetic advance as percent of mean were recorded for harvest index, seed yield per plant, proline content, number of pods per plant, biological yield, chlorophyll-b, days to 50 percent flowering, water absorption index, seedling fresh weight at 30°C and 40°C, root length at 30 °C and 40 °C, plant height, seedling length at 30°C, seedling vigour index at 30°C, 100 seed weight, shoot length at 30 °C, total chlorophyll, seed volume, days to maturity, water absorption capacity, germination percent at 40 °C, membrane stability index which indicates that these characters were under the control of additive gene action and therefore, form the basis of selection for mothbean improvement programme. Genotypes/ varieties exhibited higher seed yield along with other desirable traits were IC-370469, GP-387, IC-415116, IC-310670, IC-329040, RMO-225, RMO-257, IC-983, IC-415138, IC-415167, RMO-435, RMO-2251, FMM-12-6-134, RMO-40. Besides quantitative traits, all these genotypes were also found early in flowering and maturity, which are considered as the most desirable traits for crop cultivation in an arid environment.