Genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and path analysis in mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

To utilize mungbean gene pool effectively, studies on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance were conducted under rain-fed conditions during kharif 2009, 2010 and 2011. The data of ten quantitative characters was recorded. The number of pods per plant and seed yield were recorded with significantly higher heritability (>60%), corresponding PCV (>25%) and GCV (>20%) coupled with more than 30% genetic advance. The correlation studies exhibited highly significant and positive association of all the quantitative characters with seed yield except with that of days to 50% flowering. The number of pods per plant had the maximum direct effect followed by plant height and 1000-seed weight indicating their direct contribution towards seed yield. The present study suggests that seed yield and number of pods per plant are greatly influenced by the additive gene effect and greater proposition of variations are heritable for these traits.