VARIABILITY AND CHARACTER ASSOCIATION IN RICE BEAN (VIGNA UMBELLATA (THUMB) OHWI AND OHASHI)

Fifty genotypes of rice bean were used to study the genetic variability for fourteen economic attributes. The genotypic coefficeint of variation was highest for shattering percentage at 10 days after maturity followed by grain yield/plant. Plant height at 50% flowering, hundred seed weight, number of clusters/plant and grain yield/plant had higher estimates of heritability. Shattering percentage at 10 days after maturity and grain yield/plant recorded the highest genetic advance as per cent mean indicating that it is controlled by additive gene action. Grain yield/plant had significant positive association with number of clusters/plant, number of pods/plant, number of branches/plant. days to 50% flowering, forage yield at 50% flowering and plant height at 50%, flowering.