Genetic Variability in Pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.] Genotypes of Nagaland

Abstract

Variability and character association were studied in thirty genotypes of pigeon pea for grain yield and its attributing characters. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters studied, indicating a high degree of variability in the material. The highest PCV and GCV were recorded for number of pods per plant followed by seed yield per plant and number of cluster per plant indicating the presence of ample variation for these traits in the present material. In the present study high estimates of heritability and genetic advance were obtained for seed yield per plant, days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of pods per cluster, number of cluster per plant, pod length, 100-seed weight, number of primary branches per plant and days to maturity. Thus, selection of these traits is likely to accumulate more additive genes leading to further improvement of their performance and these traits may be used as selection criteria in pigeon pea breeding program. The seed yield per plant exhibited significant positive correlation with primary branches per plant, plant height, number of pods per plant, number of cluster per plant, number of seeds per pod and pods per cluster indicating relative utility of these traits for selection. Number of cluster per plant exerted the maximum positive direct effect and exhibited significant positive correlation with yield indicating a true relationship among the traits.