Genetic Variability, Correlation and Path Analysis Studies in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at Kalyani Simanta District Seed Farm, Kalyani, Nadia under BCKV during Pre-kharif season of 2018-19. Ten genotypes of cowpea were grown in randomized block design with three replications. The genotypes were studied for twelve characters viz, plant height at maturity, number of flower inflorescence-1, number of primary branches plant-1, leaf area, number of pods plant-1, pod weight, number of grains pod-1, pod length, biological yield plant-1, area of primary leaf, hundred grain weight and grain yield plant-1. The experimental studies revealed substantial amount of genetic variability among the genotypes under study. In general, phenotypic coefficients of variation were higher in magnitude than genotypic coefficient of variation. The characters pod yield plant-1 and plant height at maturity showed comparatively higher estimates of genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation indicating high level of variability and ample scope for effective improvement. The higher estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percentage of mean indicated additive gene action for the above characters. Correlation studies revealed strong positive association of pod yield plant-1, hundred grain weight with grain yield plant-1. The path analysis studies indicated that the characters number of pods plant-1 and days to first pod maturity bearing direct positive effect on grain yield, could be the selection criteria for genetic improvement of grain yield plant-1 in cowpea population under study. Thus, the genotypes PL-3, PL-5, Mousumi Laffa are observed as desirable among the population for future use in breeding programme, as these genotypes had good performance for the important quantitative traits.