Journal of Food Legumes

The present investigation was undertaken with 120 genotypes of blackgram [Vigna mungo (L) Hepper] having diverse origin. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with 3 replications during Kharif 2016–17. All the traits showed significant genetic variation. The characters viz. seed yield per plant, seeds per plant, pods per plant, plant height showed high PCV and GCV estimates. High estimates of heritability and high genetic advance as percentage of mean were observed for, seed yield per plant and seeds per plant which indicated that these characters were under the influence of additive gene action. This variation is in GCV, PCV, genetic advance and heritability estimates for various characters due to environmental fluctuation and their adaptability in new environment. All the characters showed significant and positive correlation with seed yield both at genotypic and phenotypic level except for days to 50% flowering. The highest positive direct effect was shown by biological yield per plant, followed by pods per plant which appeared to be the true relationship, hence direct selection through these traits will be rewarding. The highest indirect effect of pods per plant was observed followed by clusters per plant, 100 seed weight and pod length, through biological yield per plant on seed yield per plant. The accessions were grouped into 7 clusters using D² method. The intra and inter cluster distance was calculated using D² values. The maximum number of genotypes (27) was found in cluster I followed cluster V (25) and cluster II (21).