Genetic variability and association studies for yield and its attributes in super-early pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (l.) Millsp.) Genotypes

Abstract

Twenty-nine super-early pigeonpea genotypes along with an early duration check were evaluated for 12 quantitative traits to 
assess genetic variability, cause and effect for yield as well as yield contributing traits. High PCV and GCV was observed 
for the traits viz. plant height, number of branches per plant, pod bearing length, number of clusters per plant, number of 
number of pods per plant and single plant yield.  High heritability associated with high genetic advance as per cent of mean 
(GAM) was observed for the traits like plant height, pod bearing length, number of clusters per plant and number of 
branches per plant indicating that these traits were controlled by additive gene action and selection for above traits is 
advisable. Correlation coefficient analysis revealed that the traits viz. number of number of pods per plant, pod length, 
number of seeds per pod and days to fifty per cent flowering can be the best selection indices for breeding programme as 
they show significant positive correlation in favour of single plant yield. Path coefficient analysis showcased the traits with 
direct and indirect effect on single plant yield as number of pods per plant, plant height, days to maturity, number of 
branches per plant and days to fifty per cent flowering.