ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC VARIABILITY, CORRELATION AND PATH ANALYSIS IN BLACKGRAM (VIGNA MUNGO L. HEPPER) GERMPLASM

Abstract

Black gram is a self-pollinated, leguminous, pulse crop which is rich in lysine amino acid and consist of protein content of about 25 to 28%. The study was conducted at Field Experimental Center, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Allahabad on thirty genotypes of black gram including one check, T-9 during kharif seasons 2015-2016 to estimate analysis of variance, genetic variability, correlation and genetic diversity . All the genotypes of black gram were planted in randomized block design with three replications. Analysis of variance showed that all traits observed were significant and ensures presence of variability among genotypes. Genetic variability observed showed that values of phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher as compared to genotypic coefficient analysis. High heritability along with high genetic advance as a percent of mean was observed for traits, branches/plant, number of seeds/pod and seed yield/plant. Correlation coefficient analysis was measured at both genotypic and phenotypic level. In phenotypic correlation, seed yield per plant exhibited positive and significant correlation with harvest index and biological yield/plant. In genotypic correlation, seed yield per plant showed positive and significant correlation with biological yield/plant followed by number of clusters/plant, harvest index and 100 seed weight. Genetic diversity was estimated via Mahalanobis D2 method. All the genotypes were clustered into six groups by Tocher’s method. Maximum intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster II and highest Inter cluster distance was observed between cluster V and cluster VI followed by cluster IV and cluster V. Hence, genotypes in cluster V and VI will be efficient as a parent for hybridization program.