Genetic Variability and Character Association Studies on Yield and Yield Attributing Traits in Grain Type Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)

The experiment was carried out during July, 2021 to November, 2021 at Botany Garden, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, India to estimate genetic variability, correlation and path coefficients for various yield and its component characters using 45 F1 hybrids of cowpea derived from 10×10 half-diallel crosses and their ten parents. The genetic variability studies revealed the presence of sufficient variability between the studied genotypes for yield traits. High GCV, PCV, heritability and GAM were observed for number of pods plant-1 and grain yield plant-1, indicating that operating selection for these traits in the material would be fruitful owing to their additive gene action. Further, the correlation studies revealed that grain yield plant-1 was positively and significantly associated with the traits number of pods plant-1, pod length, number of seeds pod-1 and 100 seed weight at both genotypic and phenotypic levels depicting the scope of indirect selection for yield through these associated characters. Phenotypic and genotypic path coefficient analysis revealed that number of pods plant-1 recorded highest positive direct effect on yield plant-1 and also highest indirect effect on yield plant-1 via pod length and number of seeds pod-1. These results indicated that, grain yield in cowpea can be improved by improving these significantly associated component traits.