Genetic variability and association among the various characters in groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L).

ABSTRACT

Seventy five groundnut genotypes were evaluated for yield and yield component characters indicated the existence of considerable genetic variation in the present investigation. The components of variance revealed that the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters studied indicating the role of environmental variance in the total variance. The magnitude of PCV and GCV was moderate to high for number of pods per plant, kernel yield, dry pod yield, hundred kernel weight, dry haulm yield. Heritability in broad sense was higher in most of the characters viz., hundred kernel weight, plant height, kernel yield, dry pod yield and number of pods per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for hundred kernel weight, plant height, kernel yield, dry pod yield and number of pods per plant indicating the role of additive gene in expressing these traits. Pod yield was positively correlated with kernel yield, number of pods per plant, hundred kernel weight and shelling percent. Non significant positive association of pod yield noticed with dry haulm yield. However, significant negative association with plant height and non significant negative association with days to 50 percent flowering and days to maturity were observed. Direct positive effect of kernel yield, no of pods per plant and hundred kernel weight was revealed on pod yield. Hence, a direct selection criterion should be followed for traits viz., no of pods per plant and hundred kernel weight to improve the pod yield.