Assessment of genetic variability parameters in f2 segregating generation of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

The effectiveness of any crop improvement program relies on the variability and heritability of desirable traits. An investigation was conducted during the Rabi/summer 2023-24 at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur to assess the extent of variability generated by hybridization and to estimate the heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean for pod yield and its attributing traits in F2 generation of the cross TMV-2 × R-8808. The segregating population thus obtained was evaluated for ten quantitative traits, revealing significant variability due to genetic segregation. The phenotypic co-efficient of variation (PCV) was slightly higher than the genotypic co-efficient (GCV), indicating minimal environmental influence. High GCV and PCV values coupled with high heritability and GAM values were observed for number of branches per plant, number of mature pods per plant, dry pod yield per plant, kernel weight per plant, biological yield per plant and harvest index suggesting that selection for the improvement of these traits is likely to be effective.