Genetic Variability Studies for Yield and Yield Related Traits in Cowpea [Vigna Unguiculata (L.) Walp.]
- M.Sc. (Agri)
- Dharwad University of Agricultural Sciences 2024
- 150 32 Cms
ABSTRACT
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is an important legume known for its nutritional value and wide adaptability to various environmental conditions. Present study, was conducted during the kharif 2023 to understand the genetic variation and the relationships among twelve agro-morphological traits as well as to screen for cowpea diseases. The analysis of variance showed significant differences among the sixty five cowpea genotypes for all traits. High phenotypic and genotypic variation was observed for plant height, clusters per plant, pods per plant, seeds per pod, test weight and grain yield indicating considerable genetic variability for improvement. High heritability and high genetic advance were recorded for days to 50 per cent flowering, primary branches per plant, plant height, clusters per plant, pods per plant, pod length, seeds per pod, test weight and grain yield suggesting these traits are promising for selection and further improvement. Association studies showed that grain yield per plant was most strongly correlated with the number of pods per plant followed by the number of seeds per pod, pod length, hundred-seed weight, and number of clusters per plant. Path coefficient analysis indicated that traits namely days to 50 percent flowering, number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per cluster, number of pods per plant, pod length and test weight had a direct effect on grain yield per plant. Therefore, selecting for these traits would enhance seed yield. Among the cowpea accessions, IC209180 was recorded high yielding of 25.15g with medium maturity period of 81.64 days. Whereas, accessions EC723788 (24.18g) and EC724243 (22.09g) were high yielding showing medium and early maturity respectively. Two accessions namely IC202846 (20.49g) and IC336762 (20.3g) were medium yielding with medium and early maturity respectively. All above five accessions also exhibited moderate resistance to cowpea mosaic virus.