Variability and character association studies in Black gram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper).

Present study was conducted to assess the magnitude of variability and character association for grain yield and contributing traits in black gram genotypes at the experimental farm of School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Nagaland University Medziphema campus representing foot hill condition of Nagaland. Pulses being the major source of protein of vegetarian population of India are high in demand. So this study aimed to identify genotypes of black gram which have a broad spectrum of variability and traits having positive association with seed yield for indirect selection. Studies were done in twenty-six genotypes of black gram for twelve traits. The results indicated that PCV was higher than the GCV for almost of all the traits. High heritability was observed for seed yield per plant, number of pods per cluster and number of clusters per plant suggesting that these traits are primarily under genetic control. Correlation studies revealed a significant and positive association of seed yield per plant with number of pods per cluster and number of clusters per plant at phenotypic level. In general, the magnitude of genotypic correlation was higher than the phenotypic correlation. This suggested a strong genetic association between the traits and the phenotypic expression was suppressed due to environmental influence. Based on variability and association studies, number of seeds per pod and number of pods per cluster were found to be the major contributing traits for yield. Therefore, these traits can be considered as selection criteria for selection and for discrimination of outstanding black gram genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]