Genetic Variability, Character Association, Path Analysis and Genetic Diversity in Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) Genotypes

Abstract:

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) is an important pulse crop and improvement of its yield depends on the availability of useful genetic variability. The present study was carried out to assess genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, character association, path analysis and genetic diversity in mungbean. Eight genotypes were evaluated during the kharif season at G H Raisoni University, Saikheda, Madhya Pradesh, using a randomized block design with three replications. Nine quantitative characters were recorded, namely plant height, leaves plant⁻¹, branches plant⁻¹, pods plant⁻¹, pods cluster⁻¹ plant⁻¹, pod length, seeds pod⁻¹, 1000-seed weight and yield plant⁻¹. Phenotypic variance was higher than genotypic variance for all the characters. Relatively high GCV and PCV were recorded for branches plant⁻¹, pods plant⁻¹, 1000-seed weight and yield plant⁻¹. High heritability together with high genetic advance as percentage of mean was observed for plant height, leaves plant⁻¹, branches plant⁻¹, pods plant⁻¹, pod length, seeds pod⁻¹, 1000-seed weight and yield plant⁻¹. Yield plant⁻¹ showed significant positive association with leaves plant⁻¹, branches plant⁻¹, pods plant⁻¹, pods cluster⁻¹ plant⁻¹, pod length, seeds pod⁻¹ and 1000-seed weight at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path analysis showed positive direct effects of plant height, leaves plant⁻¹, branches plant⁻¹, pods plant⁻¹, seeds pod⁻¹ and 1000-seed weight on yield. Seeds pod⁻¹ had the highest positive direct effect. The multivariate analysis also indicated the presence of genetic divergence among the genotypes. The results suggest that seeds pod⁻¹, pods plant⁻¹, branches plant⁻¹ and other positively associated traits can be considered during selection for higher yield in mungbean.