Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Gaiwal KB, Toprope VN, Patil SS, Chaudhari BD and Dalvi VT

Abstract:
The present research entitled “Genetic variability heritability genetic advance studies in F₂ and F₃ populations of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)”. The experimental material comprising of three parent, two F₂ crosses and their respective F₃ populations were evaluated at Research Farm of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Latur, Maharashtra. During kharif-2021-22. The material was sown in RBD with three replications. Observations were recorded for ten yield contributing quantitative characters. The estimates of GCV and PCV were recorded high for yield per plant, number of pods per plant, plant hight and primary branches per plant. Thus, these characters provide good source of variation and hence they are useful in crop improvement programme in cowpea. High heritability estimates along with high genetic advance were obtained for characters days to maturity and plant height. The character days to maturity showed the highest heritability followed by test weight and plant hight. This suggests that these characters were governed by additive gene action and selection will effective. Therefore, there was scope for improvement of these characters in breeding programme. The lowest genetic advance along with high heritability was observed for number of primary branches per plant and number of seeds per plant.