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

Abstract

One hundred and eighty genotypes of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) were evaluated during kharif 2017 and thirteen 
biometrical traits were recorded. Analysis of variance revealed that significant difference existed among the genotypes for all 
the traits studied. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits 
studied. The high estimates of GCV was found in traits  viz., number of pods per plant, number of clusters per plant, hundred 
seed weight and single plant yield. High heritability was observed for plant height, days to 50 per cent of flowering, number 
of racemes per plant, peduncle length, number of pods per plant, number of clusters per plant, days to maturity, pod length, 
hundred seed weight and single plant yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was 
observed for plant height, number of racemes per plant, peduncle length, number of pods per plant, number of clusters per 
plant, pod length, hundred seed weight and single plant yield. The high degree of variability was observed among the 
genotypes for different yield contributing traits. This could be utilised in the breeding programme for the improvement of 
cowpea.