Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]

Abstract

Forty diverse genotypes of vegetable type cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] were evaluated during 2003 at ICAR-IIVR, Varansi (U.P.) where phenotypic coefficient of variation was greater than genotypic coefficient of variation for most of the traits under study. Relatively high genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation were recorded for plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of peduncles per plant, number of pods per plant and green pod yield per plant. High heritability accompanied by moderate to high genotypic coefficient of variation and genetic advance were observed for plant height, peduncle length, number of primary branches per plant, number of peduncles per plant and green pod yield per plant, which could be improved by simple selection in early generation. Days to 50% flowering, 1st green pod picking, pod diameter, number of seeds per plant and 100 seed weight manifested high heritability coupled with low genotypic coefficient of variation and genetic advance indicated that simultaneous improvement in vegetable type cowpea can be made accordingly.