Study of selection parameters in black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

Thirty eight diverse genotypes of black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] were studied for genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation and path coefficient analysis during Kharif 1999. Maximum variability was observed for number of cluster per plant, number of pods per plant, yield per plant, number of primary branches per plant and plant height. Low to high heritability coupled with low to moderate genetic advance observed for all the characters indicated little scope for selection of these characters because of non additive type gene action. Seed yield per plant exhibited significant and positive correlation with number of pods per plant, number of clusters per plant and number of primary branches per plant. Path coefficient analysis revealed that number of pods per plant, days to maturity, number of seeds per pod and 100-seed weight have moderate to very high positive direct effect on seed yield per plant and may be given due weightage while making selection for seed yield improvement.