Genetic Variability, Character Association and Genetic Divergence in Mungbean ('Vigna radiata' L. Wilczek)

Abstract

Genotypic and phenotypic variance, coefficient of variance, heritability, genetic advance, correlation and path coefficient were evaluated for yield and its contributing characters in 26 Mungbean genotypes. Significant variations among the genotypes were observed for all the characters. High heritability (broad) along with high genetic advance in percent of mean was observed for plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 1000-grain weight and grain yield per plant indicating these characters would be best for phenotypic selection. The number of pods per plant, panicle length and number of seeds per pod are positively correlated with grain yield. Based on path coefficient parameter, the number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod are the important characters. Twenty six genotypes were grouped into 3 clusters. Maximum number of genotypes (12) was grouped into cluster II. The maximum range of variability was observed for number of pods per plant (12.22 - 20.55) among all the characters in 3 clusters. Crosses involving cluster I and III may exhibit high heterosis for yield as well as earliness.