Studies on Variability, Heritability, Correlation and Path Analysis in Segregating Population of Black Gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

Back ground: Pulses are an important source of protein in the human diet and black gram is a popular pulse crop in India. The black gram breeding program faces various drawbacks due to narrow genetic diversity accompanied by biotic and abiotic diseases which seriously affect the yield potential of the crop. Hence it is important to understand the gene action and to frame the efficient breeding program in black gram for yield improvement.Methods: The present experiment was conducted during 2018-2019. Sixty-nine F2 plants of the cross ADT3  KKB14-052 were raised and nine biometrical traits were recorded. Genetic variability and association analysis were carried out.Result: High PCV and GCV were obtained for the traits viz., number of primary branches/ plant, number of clusters/plant, number of pods/plant and single plant yield. High heritability and high GAM were obtained for the traits viz., plant height, number of primary branches/plant, number of clusters/plant, number of pods/plant, hundred seed weight, pod length and single plant yield. All the characters under the study were significantly positive correlation with yield except days to 50% flowering. Number of pods/plant showed a high positive, direct effect on single plant yield. Hence, these characters would be mainly focused in black gram breeding programs for yield improvement.