Estimates of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and yield component traits in vegetable cowpea [Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc.] Genotypes

Fifty diverse genotypes of vegetable cowpea were evaluated to estimate variability, heritability and genetic advance over mean for pod yield and component characters. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for almost all the characters studied. High genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for pods per cluster, yield per plant, pod weight, pods per plant and clusters per plant, which indicate that there exists high genetic variability and better scope for improvement of these characters through selection. The characters clusters per plant, pods per cluster, pods per plant, primary branches per plant, pod yield per plant, pod weight, pod length, seeds per pod and main stem length had high heritability coupled with high genetic advance suggesting improvement of those characters though selection due to additive gene action. In the present study high heritability and low genetic advance was noted for days to 50% flowering and pod breadth indicating dominant gene action.