Genetic divergence studies for yield and yield attributes in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]
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Date
2022-06
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is a leguminous vegetable crop mainly grown in both kharif, spring and summer season in most parts of India. Cowpea is an essential component of sustainable cropping systems in the sub-humid tropics and generally, dries regions across the globe. Though, wide genetic diversity exists in this crop with regards to the yield and yield contributing characters. Forty genotypes (IC-559405, IC-628893, Kashi Gauri, IC-628900, COPBVAR-3, IC- 202826, IC-628899, IC-628895, EC-97306, EC-390241, IC-628897, EC-19736, EC-528382, Kashi Unnati, EC-390216, EC-390223, IC-202718, IC-202824, COPBVAR-2, IC-51154, EC-472272, IC-337932, IC-536635, IC-202790, IC-201098, EC-37588, PVCP-21, EC-572715 EC-202858, IC-628894, EC-390628, EC-97738, IC-209711, IC-331250, IC-201095, WB-9, COPBVAR-4 and COPBVAR-6) with two check varieties Pusa Komal and Kashi Kanchan were evaluated in Randomized block design during Kharif season 2021 at the vegetable research centre, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, to study the twenty one growth and yield related characters namely., Growth Pattern, Leaf size, Pod shape, Pod colour, Seed colour, Plant height (cm), Number of primary branches, Days to first flowering, Days to 50% flowering, Days to first pod emergence, Days to first pod maturity, Number of pods per cluster, Number of seeds per pod, Pod length, Green pod weight, 100 seed weight, Number of pods per plant, Number of pods per plot, Green pod yield per plant, Green pod yield per plot, Green pod yield per hectare and five quality characters namely protein content, total phenols, ash content, antioxidant activity and elemental analysis. The pooled data were subjected to statistical analysis. The result of analysis of variance revealed that difference among cowpea genotypes was highly significant for all the characters. The highest value of PCV and GCV obtained for plant height followed by green pod yield per plant. High heritability and high genetic advance as percentage of mean reported in the character plant height (cm) followed by green pod yield per plant. High positive significant correlation for green pod yield per hectare (q) reported by pod length (cm), 100 seed weight (g), number of pods per plot, number of pods per plant, green pod weight, green pod yield per plant and green pod yield per plot. Path coefficient analysis showed positive direct effect on green pod yield per hectare (q) was exhibited by green pod yield per plot, days to 50% flowering, 100 seed weight. Analysis of quality characters indicated that cowpea served as excellent source of protein and good source of minerals and antioxidants. On the basis of the study conducted, it was concluded that there was a wide range of variance between the genotypes which was considered as scope for improving the cowpea cultivar through selection. Selection based on the characters like plant height (cm), pod length (cm), number of pods per plant, green pod yield per plant will substantially increase the yield. Out of forty genotypes EC-572715, EC-390216, WB-9, IC-628899, COPBVAR-3, EC-97306, EC-390216, IC-628899, EC472272, COPBVAR-3, EC-390241, COPBVAR-6 and Kashi Kanchan yields were found to be superior and some genotypes namely., EC-572715, EC-390216, WB-9, IC-628899, COPBVAR-3, COPBVAR -6 and Kashi Kanchan are identified as promising ones for their performance for yield related characters and can be used for the improvement of the cowpea cultivars in breeding programmes.