Evaluation of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

An attempt was made to study blackgram germplasm with an objective to develop genetically diverse genotypes accompanied with high heritable components of yield contributing traits. The experimental material comprised of 21 blackgram genotypes, was examined during kharif 2015 and 2016. Experimental study conducted during kharif 2015, was mainly relied on selection of transgressive segregants, which were further analyzed in Compact Family Block Design during kharif 2016. The results depicted that families and progenies within families were significantly different for majority of the traits and found to be highly variable for biological yield, harvest index and seed yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance were recorded for plant height (74.15%, 33.12%), branches per plant (84.34%, 40.55%), biological yield (83.51%, 69.11%) and seed yield (84.50%, 66.11%). Thus, the present findings could be beneficial to develop superior genotypes through selection in blackgram breeding program.