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

Abstract

Background: Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] is a self pollinated crop, belonging to family fabaceae and sub family papilionaceae. It is an important multipurpose grain legume extensively cultivated in arid and semi arid regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Central and South America. The assessment of variability present in any crop species is an essential pre requisite for formulating an effective breeding programme, as the existing variability can be used to enhance the yield level of cultivars after following appropriate breeding strategies. Methods: The present investigation was carried out during the Kharif season of the year 2019. The field experiment was carried out at Pulses Research Station, NAU, Navsari in randomized block design. The study was undertaken on fifty three genotypes of cowpea to know the variability present among genotypes for thirteen traits and correlation and path analysis of yield components. Result: Analysis of variance indicated significant genotypic differences for all the characters under study. The highest GCV was recorded for plant height, pods per plant, pods per cluster, seed yield per plant, straw yield per plant, 100 seed weight and harvest index. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was exhibited by days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity, plant weight, seed yield per plant, 100 seed weight, pod length, pods per cluster and seeds per pod indicating the presence of additive gene action. Seed yield per plant was found to be positively and significantly correlated with pods per plant, pods per cluster, pod length, days to 50 per cent flowering and straw yield per plant or seed yield per plant. The present study has indicated the need for giving due weightage to pods per plant, pods per cluster, seeds per pod, 100 seed weight, pod length with straw yield per plant for improving seed yield in cowpea.

Correlation Coefficient and Path Analysis of yield and its components for seven cowpea genotypes (Vigna unguiculata L.) and its F1 hybrids

“…Pod length was positively and highly significantly correlated with each of the characters the number of pods/plant, the number of seeds/pod, plant height, and grain yield/plant, while it was correlated significant and negatively with grain index. In a genetic investigation, it was discovered that pod length significantly increased seed yield (Kumar et al, 2016), and prior investigations by (Kutty et al, 2003;Anbumalarmathi et al, 2005;and Suganthi & Murugan, 2008) found similar results, which were consistent with the current study. It is possible to increase grain output by enhancing this trait.…”

A brief review on integrated pest management of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) in cotton

“…Adults lay eggs singly on soil near the root zone of the crop (Oza et al, 1996). Larvae feed on the root hairs and on root nodules whereas adult beetles feed on leaves, buds and leaves and also on the buds and flowers of pigeon pea (Gupta and Singh, 1981;Gowda et al, 2006 andPrathapan, 2016). During the rainy season, this pest has been noticed in Vigna spp., Glycine spp., Phaseolus spp., Cajanus cajan and as a vector of bean southern mosaic virus (Reddy and Verma, 1986;Swaminathan et al, 2012).…”

Ambrosia beetle: An emerging pest of arecanut palm

“…Adults lay eggs singly on soil near the root zone of the crop (Oza et al, 1996). Larvae feed on the root hairs and on root nodules whereas adult beetles feed on leaves, buds and leaves and also on the buds and flowers of pigeon pea (Gupta and Singh, 1981;Gowda et al, 2006 andPrathapan, 2016). During the rainy season, this pest has been noticed in Vigna spp., Glycine spp., Phaseolus spp., Cajanus cajan and as a vector of bean southern mosaic virus (Reddy and Verma, 1986;Swaminathan et al, 2012).…”