Genetic analysis and association studies for devising an efficient selection in pigeonpea

A wide range of variation was observed in a diverse set of 178 pigeonpea germplasm lines for all the studied traits. The GCV and PCV estimates were the highest for seed yield/plot (35.48% and 36.12%) followed by pods/plant (31.57% and 32.58%). The little difference between PCV and GCV indicated their control largely by genetic factors. Seed yield/plot (96.46%), pods/plant (93.89%) and plant height (92.14%) recorded high heritability estimates. The high heritability coupled with high genetic advance recorded for seed yield/plot, pods/plant and primary & secondary branches/plant indicated the predominance of additive gene action controlling these traits and phenotypic selection would be effective. Skewness and kurtosis indicated the governance of primary branches and seed yield by complementary gene interaction with less number of dominant genes. Association studies identified primary & secondary branches/plant, pods/plant and seeds/pod as important yield components and due weightage should be given to these during selection for yield improvement.