Genetic variability and character association studies in Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.) for yield and yield contributing traits

Fifteen genotypes of Jack bean were studied for variability, correlation and path analysis. The characters viz., plant height at first harvest, number of primaries per plant at first harvest, plant height at last harvest, number of primaries per plant at last harvest, pod weight, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight and pod yield per plant were observed with high genetic variability, high heritability in conjunction with higher genetic advance as percent mean indicating the predominance of additive gene action on the expression of these traits and hence direct selection will be rewarding for improvement of these traits in Jack bean. This complex set of association between various yield components clearly indicated that selection of early genotypes would be reliable to increase the pod length, pod weight, number of pods and ultimately pod yield per plant.