Department of Plant Breeding, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Genetic variability and correlation coefficients in 40 promising varieties of cowpea were studied. Considerable genetic coefficient of variation, heri-tability and expected genetic advance were present in the varieties studied. Number of pods per plant had the highest genetic coefficient of variation (52.52 per cent.). Heritability was considerable for 100-grain yield, days to flowering, pod length and days to maturity. Expected genetic advance was appreciable for number of bunches, 100-grain weight, pod number, pod length and yield. Hundred-grain weight was found to have high heritability and high genetic advance and as such this character, seems to be of considerable value to the breeder for selection.
Grain yield was significantly correlated with number of bunches per plant, number of pods, seeds per pod and 100-grain weight. Positive correlation was observed between 100-grain weight and pod length and seed per pod. Very high correlation was noted between number of pod per plant and number of bunches per plant and between days to flowering and days to maturity. Negative correlation was present between 100-grain weight and number of bunches pei plant and number of pods per plant. Also, pod length was negatively correlated with number of bunches and number of pods per plant.
