Genetic variability and association studies in guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.) for green fodder yield and quality traits

Seventy clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.) genotypes were evaluated for character association during Kharif 2011. The genotypes were analysed for genetic variability, correlation and path coefficients. These were found significantly different for all the characters, which indicated scope for further genetic studies. High heritability along with high genetic advance (GA) was recorded in number of leaves/plant (NOL) number of branches/plant (NOB), dry matter yield (DMY) and green folder yield (GFY) indicating predominance of additive effects in the inheritance of these characters. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) estimates were invariably higher than their corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) values, thereby, suggesting the environmental influence. High estimates of GCV and PCV were observed for leaf width (LW), NOL, NOB, stem girth (SG), DMY and GFY, suggesting that selection based on these characters would facilitate successful isolation of desirable types. Traits like plant health (PH), leaf length (LL), LW, NOL and DMY had positive and significant correlation at genotypic as well as phenotypic level with GFY and the selection based on these traits will result in improving the GFY in guar. Most of the yield contributing traits like PH, LL, LW, NOL and DMY as well as the quality traits like acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) showed direct effect on GFY.