Genetic variability and character association for growth and yield characters in Dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus var. typicus) under rainfed semi-arid conditions

The genetic variability and character association were studied in 60 genotypes of dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus var. typicus L.) during 2018-2023 at Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-CIAH), Panchmahals (Godhra), Gujarat. A degree of variation was observed for all characters. High Phenotypic Co-efficient of Variation (PCV) and Genotypic Co-efficient of Variation (GCV) were recorded for primary branches/plant, number of pods/plant, Pod length, pod weight and pod yield/plant. The high PCV and GCV were recorded for primary branches/plant, number of pods/plant, pod length, pod weight and pod yield/plant indicated maximum variability in the genotypes. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent mean was observed for plant height, number of primary branches/plant, number of pods/plant, pod length, pod girth, pod weight and pod yield/plant indicating that these characters are controlled by additive gene action. Thus, selection for these characters will improve the yield. Pod yield/ plant exhibited positive and highly significant correlation with number of branches, number of pods/plant, pod length, pod girth, pod weight at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Hence these traits should be considered as important selection criteria for improvement of pod yield/plant.