Genetic Variability Analysis for Growth and Yield Parameters in Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) under Rainfed Conditions

The experiment was carried out to study the genetic variability among 56 genotypes of cluster bean at Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-CIAH), Godhra, Gujarat during the year 2020, 2021 and 2022. Significant inter- genetic differences were recorded for all the plant characters. The highest estimates of genotypic co- efficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic co- efficient of variation (PCV) were observed in case of pod yield per plant (86.50 and 86.30), pods per plant (65.27and 64.98) followed by pod weight (51.34 and 50.90), pods per plant (65.27and 64.98) and pod length (31.14 and 31.00) indicating that a greater amount of genetic variability which allow greater scope for selection in these traits. High heritability was recorded all the character under study viz., for plant height (98.60%), number of pods plant (99.10%), pod length (99.60%), pod girth (95.10%), pod weight (98.40%), days to first flowering (99.30), days to first harvest (95.60) and pod yield per plant (99.60%). High genetic advance as per cent mean was observed for plant height at (31.98%), number of pods per plant (133.30%), pod length (63.88%), pod girth (27.81%), pod weight (104.08%) and pod yield per plant (177.45%) whereas, the moderate genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for days to first flower (14.83%) and days to first harvest (11.38%). Both high heritability (broad sense) and genetic advance were high for pod yield/ plant (99.60% and 177.45%), number of pods/ plant (99.10% and 133.30%) followed by pod weight (98.40% and 104.08%). Such high heritability, followed by such rapid genetic advancement, suggests that selection may be beneficial for such qualities. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean traits were under the strong influence by additive gene action and hence simple selection based on phenotypic performance of these traits would be more effective and genetic improvement for these characteristics might be considered.