Genetic variability studies in Virginia bunch groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

An investigation was carried out in 10 Virginia bunch groundnut genotypes to assess the variability, heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean for nineteen characters. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters studied. The PCV was generally higher than the GCV for all the characters studied, which indicate that the variation was not only due to genotypes but also due to influence of environment on the trait. The results revealed that high PCV and GCV was observed for oil yield per hectare (q). High heritability accompanied with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was recorded for biological yield per plant (g), pod yield per plant, kernel yield per plant (g) and 100 kernel weight (g) indicating the preponderance of additive gene action which may be exploited through simple selection procedures.