Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis for yield and yield attributes in urdbean (Vigna mungo L.) under rainfed condition of Jammu

A field experiment was carried out among twenty genotypes of urdbean (Vigna mungo L.) during Kharif 2020 at Pulses Research Sub-Station, Samba, to study the genetic variability parameters and to determine the relationship between grain yield and its attributes. Analysis of variance concluded that there was significant genetic variation among urdbean genotypes. For the number of primary branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per cluster, number of pods per plant, pod length and number of seeds per pod, high estimates of genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were noted. The traits number of primary branches per plant, clusters per plant, pods per cluster, pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod, grain yield per plant, biological yield per plant and harvest index all showed high heritability and genetic advance, implying additive gene action. This data demonstrated that the urdbean genotypes have enough genetic variation to support improved selection and it will be incredibly useful for plant breeders as they select parents to pursue various breeding goals. At both the phenotypic and genotypic levels, the majority of the yield contributing traits under assessment exhibited a highly positive correlation with grain yield per plant. According to the results of the path analysis, the characters such as days to 50% flowering, number of primary branches per plant, number of clusters, biological yield per plant and number of pods per plant all had a positive direct impact on grain yield per plant. Therefore, selecting individuals with these characteristics would maximise grain yield in the urdbean breeding programme.