Studies on variability and character association in Spanish bunch grounndnut (Arachis hypogaeae L.)

High heritability along with high GAM was observed for number of secondary branches per plant, number of immature pods per plant, shelling percentage, 100-kernel weight, SMK weight, total number of pods, total number of gynophores, maturity index, reproductive efficiency and pod yield. This showed additive type of gene action plays an important role. It indicates that phenotypic selection for these characters will be effective. Pod and kernel yields per plant showed significant and positive association with number of secondary branches per plant, number of mature pods per plant, SMK weight, SMK number, 100-kernel weight. So these characters have been considered as selection indices for the improvement of kernel and pod yields per plant.