Morphological characterization and evaluation of Himalayan landraces of blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) from North-Western plain zone for yield and its component traits

Abstract

Blackgram is not only a rich source of protein, vitamins and minerals especially in the vegetarian diet but is also utilized as fodder. In any breeding and varietal development programme variability is the prime requirement to acquire favorable gene combinations in segregating generations. Keeping this in view, 23 black gram landraces were evaluated during kharif 2021 at two distinct locations viz., KVK Berthin (Location-1) and Palampur (Location-2) using Randomized Block Design (RBD) in two replications to determine the extent of morphological variation among landraces by using 18 DUS parameters as well as genetic variability. The data was recorded for 11 polygenic characters viz., days to 50% flowering, days to 75% maturity, plant height, branches per plant, biological yield per plant, harvest index, seeds per pod, pods per plant, pod length, 100-seed weight and yield per plant. On the basis of DUS characterization, these genotypes were classified into distinct groups for nine trait and may be used as reference genotypes and grouping in hybridization programs for the production of improved varieties. The analysis of variance revealed significant variations for all yield and its component traits evaluated in each environment as well as the pooled environment. In the current investigation, values of PCV were observed to be higher than GCV for all of the traits under consideration, albeit with a very minor difference, demonstrating that GCV and PCV have a tight correlation and less influence of environment on the traits under investigation. As a conclusion, attributes with a great degree of variability; a meaningful selection based on phenotype would not be misleading. High heritability was found to be associated with higher genetic advance for biological yield per plant and harvest index, demonstrating the dominance of additive gene action, thus, referring advantages selection of these traits.