Genetic Variability for Seed Yield and Its Component Characters in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik)

Twenty genotypes of lentil were evaluated in a randomized block design to study variability and character association for seed yield and its components. Results indicated that high genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was recorded for 100-seed weight, seed yield per plant number of secondary branch per plant, harvest index, number of primary branches per plant and plant height. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for days to maturity, biological yield, plant height, number of primary branches per plant indicating significant improvement could be achieved by selecting the individual plant reliably on phenotypic expression in early generations for these characters. The character like seed yield per plant, number of seed per pod, number of pod per plant, number of secondary branch per plant showed moderate heritability and moderate genetic advance and therefore, their expression are greatly influenced by the prevailing environmental condition. Seed yield per plant showed highly positive and significant correlation with harvest index and biological yield per plant. The harvest index has positive and significant correlation with number of seeds per pod. Similarly 100-seeds weight showed positive and significant correlation with days to 50% flowering and days to maturity, number of seeds per pod showedpositive correlation withplant height, number of primary branches per plant and number of pods per plant.