Collection and Characterisation of Field Bean [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet var. pupureus]

Field bean is an ancient domesticate widely cultivated in many tropical and subtropical countries. Despite its wide distribution, adaptability and diversity, it is still considered a neglected crop and underutilised. To understand the available genetic variability and its agronomic potential for future crop improvement, an effort was made to study the variability present in field bean by collecting landraces from farmers. Two exploration and collection missions were conducted resulting in collection of 66 accessions. Among them, 47 accessions were characterised and extensive variability was observed in length, width, thickness and colour of seeds, pod colour, pod curvature, seed shape, pod length and number of pods per plant. The estimation of genotypic co-efficient of variation, phenotypic co-efficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance as % of mean revealed that leaf length, pedicel length, number of primary branches, internode length, pod length, pod width, pod yield/plant, number of pods/plant and 100 seed weight are governed by additive gene action and can be of help in direct selection from phenotypic performance. Ten lines were found potential which need to be evaluated further under multi-locations.