Genetic variability in Yardlong bean under rainfed semi arid conditions

Abstract

An extensive survey and collection of yard long bean (vegetable cowpea) (Vigna unguiculata var sesquipedalis) germplasm was done on the basis of their morphological characters from diversity rich areas of in the states of Kerala, Karantaka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Andra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. One hundred genotypes of vegetable cowpea (yard long bean) were collected and studied for their growth and yield attributes. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications during the period 2016-2017 at the research farm of Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-CIAH), Vejalpur, Panchmahals, Gujarat for further evaluation. The analysis of variance indicated the prevalence of sufficient genetic variation among the genotypes from all the characters studied. Results of study reveals wide range of variability for different characters like vine length, number of primary branches, days to fifty percent flowering, number of pods per plant, pod length, pod weight, pod girth, and green pod yield per plant. Among the genotypes under study, the maximum number of pods per plant was observed in the genotype GKCHESVC-18 (140), maximum pod length and pod weight was observed in the genotype GKCHESVC-65 (62cm and 32g) and high green pod yield per plant was observed in the genotype GKCHESVC-63(2.9kg). For selecting high yielding genotypes emphasis should be given on pod weight, number of pods per plant and pod length. Therefore, these characters should be considered as selection criteria for green pod yield improvement in vegetable cowpea.