Genetic variability and association analysis for yield, physiological and quality traits in drought tolerant groundnut genotypes

Thirty drought tolerant groundnut genotypes developed at Agricultural Research Station, Kadiri of Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh were evaluated for their variability with regards to yield, physiological and quality traits. Estimates of heritability, genetic advance and genetic advance as per cent mean were also obtained for the above traits. The results revealed high to moderate GCV and PCV in addition to high heritability and high genetic advance as per cent mean for haulm yield per plant and free proline content. Further, pods per plant, pod yield per plant, and 100 kernel weights were observed with high positive direct effects and strong positive associations with kernel yield per plant. Consequently, these attributes are identified as effective selection criteria for kernel yield improvement in groundnut.