Studies on Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) for Green Pod Yield and its Component

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is a significant leguminous crop extensively cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, known for its adaptability and nutritional value. This study, conducted at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India, during 2020-21 and 2021-22, aimed to analyze the genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance among 30 diverse cowpea genotypes. The experiment utilized a Randomized Block Design (R.B.D.) with three replications, evaluating twenty-six quantitative traits. Analysis of variance revealed significant genetic variation across all traits, indicating potential for effective selection. During first year (2020-21) the phenotypic variance ranged from 0.03 (pod diameter) to 9947.17 (pod yield plant-1) and it ranged from 0.03 (pod diameter) to 10443.59 (pod yield plant-1) for second year. The genotypic variance ranged from 0.03 (pod diameter) to 9873.13 (pod yield plant-1), while it ranged from 0.03 (pod diameter) to 10373.99 (pod yield plant-1) in second year. During first year, highest magnitude of phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was recorded in pod yield plant-1 (63.42 and 63.18) followed by pod yield/plot (55.73 and 55.57), whereas, during second year it recorded in pod yield plant-1 (64.39 and 64.18) followed by pod yield/plot (56.95 and 56.73). Traits like pod yield per plant, pod yield qha-1, pod yield per plot, non-reducing sugar, number of pods per plant, total sugars, plant height, number of branches per plant, average pod weight, weight of 100 seeds, reducing-sugar, number of pods per peduncle, number of green pods per cluster, number of peduncles per plant, number of nodes on main branches, number of seeds per pod, number of clusters per plant, total soluble solids, pod diameter, pod length, number of flowers per cluster, days taken to first flowering showed high heritability and genetic advance, suggesting additive gene action and reliability for selection. The findings underscore the importance of genetic variability in breeding programs, facilitating the selection of superior genotypes to enhance yield and other agronomic traits in cowpea.