Studies on Genetic Variability, Heritability, Correlation and Path Analysis in Greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

Abstract

Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) is an important pulse crop cultivated across Asia and other regions, valued for its high protein content and adaptability to various climates. This study aimed to assess the genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance of 11 agronomic traits in mungbean, using 10 genotypes crossed in a half-diallel design, and 45 F1 hybrids formed. Field trials were conducted in randomized block design with three replications during Kharif 2023 at the Crop Research Centre, Meerut, India. Observations were recorded for traits including plant height, pods per plant, 100-seed weight, and seed yield. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were observed for the number of pods per plant, while traits like seed yield and protein content showed moderate to low variability. Heritability was high for most traits, indicating strong genetic control, with genetic advance highest for the number of pods per plant. Genotypic correlation and path coefficient analysis revealed positive correlations between seed yield and key traits such as 100-seed weight and pod length. These findings provide valuable insights for the selection of high-yielding mungbean genotypes in breeding programs.