Abstract

Twenty three pigeonpea genotypes were evaluated in a randomized block design during Kharif 2012-13. The aim of this research was to estimate genetic variability utilizing various quantitative traits for overall improvement in pigeonpea crop. Results showed that sufficient amount of variability was present in entire gene pool for all the characters. Based on mean performance for yield along with some of the component traits the most promising genotypes identified were NDA 5-14, NDA 8-6, NDA 96-6, ICP 2155 and NDACMS 1-6B. Secondary branches per plant showed highest phenotypic as well as genotypic coefficient of variation followed by seed yield per plant and biological yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed by 100-seed weight, pods per plant, seed yield per plant, biological yield per plant; and secondary branches per plant indicate that these traits are highly heritable and governed by additive gene action. While, plant height, primary branches per plant, pods per plant, seeds per pod and harvest index showed high heritability with moderate genetic advance as per cent of mean suggesting greater role of non-additive gene action in their inheritance. It may be concluded that the characters 100-seed weight, pods per plant, seed yield per plant, biological yield per plant and secondary branches per plant, were identified as the most important direct selection criterion intended at developing high yielding pigeonpea cultivars.

Key words: Pigeonpea, genetic variability, yield and yield attributes.