Genetic variation of nutritional quality traits in grains of Lablab ( Lablab purpureus L. Sweet) accessions: implications for forage improvement program

Lablab purpureus is a crop resource with huge potential as food and feed in tropical agricultural production systems. However, it has not been utilized to its full potential. In this paper, we assessed the genetic variation in the nutritional composition; crude protein (CP), ether extracts (EE), crude fiber (CF), moisture, ash, nitrogen free extracts (NFE), metabolizable energy (ME), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and dry matter (DM) and mineral composition of a collection of 51 Lablab accessions. Genotype variance explained 76.7% for CP and 89% for ash (total mineral elements) of the total variance. There were highly significant differences in accessions for all nutritional and mineral components. Results showed that both nutritional and mineral components are highly heritable. However, among the nutritional components, EE had the lowest heritability (68%), while for mineral components, Zn had the lowest heritability (18%). Correlations among nutritional and mineral components were high, 0.91 and 0.94, respectively. There was significant correlation between all mineral elements. Crude protein had the highest negatively significant correlation. Indirect selection for high crude protein has a trade off on NFE. Genotype T47 exhibited the highest values for proximate and mineral composition. Cluster analysis of proximate components revealed two major groups, while mineral components were divided in three major groups, guiding the trade off in breeding. The data show that accession T47 can be used for crude protein improvement of the Lablab population and thus boost the development and production of protein dense Lablab for food and feed.