MSc

The present study on “Identification of black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) genotypes
with yield and seed quality traits for Kerala” was carried out in the Department of Plant Breeding
and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the year 2020-22. The experiment was
aimed to identify black gram genotypes with yield and seed quality suitable for Kerala from the
collection from different regions.
The experimental material comprised of 30 different black gram genotypes collected
from National Pulses Research Centre, Vamban, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Tamil Nadu
Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai and Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural
University, Rajendranagar were assessed in a randomized block design, replicated thrice. The
seeds were sown in the field at a spacing of 25 cm x 15cm and each genotype was considered as
individual treatment. Very few pests and pathogen attack was observed in the field for which
control measures were taken up.
The thirty genotypes were evaluated for yield and quality characters and their mean
values were recorded. Analysis of variance, estimation of genetic parameters such as genotypic
coefficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), heritability and
genetic advance, correlation analysis and path coefficient analysis were carried out.
From variability analysis of 30 black gram genotypes for fifteen yield attributing
characters such as emergence percentage, number of primary branches per plant, number of days
for blooming, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, number of pods per plant, number of
seeds per pod, number of abnormal/unfilled pods per plant, pod length, seed yield per plant,
haulm yield per plant, 100 seed weight, plant height and number of harvest revealed that
significant variation existed among all the genotypes for all the characters studied except for
number of harvest. The quality traits such as thousand seed weight, seed volume, bulk density,
water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, foaming capacity, protein content,
carbohydrate content and also pasting properties such as peak viscosity, breakdown viscosity,
setback viscosity, final viscosity and pasting temperature were analysed. All these quality traits
showed good amount of variability
Estimates of phenotypic variance and phenotype coefficient of variation were higher than
their corresponding genotypic variance and genotype coefficient of variation values for all the
traits studied indicating variable influence of environment in character expression. High PCV
and GCV values were recorded for the characters haulm yield per plant and number of abnormal,
unfilled pods per plant. Moderate PCV and GCV values were observed for the traits such as
number of primary branches per plant, plant height, number of pods per plant, harvest index and
seed yield per plant.
High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean observed for
number of primary branches per plant, plant height, number of pods per plant, haulm yield per
plant, number of abnormal/unfilled pods per plant, harvest index and seed yield per plant. The
traits emergence percentage, number of days for blooming, days to 50% flowering, days to
maturity and 100 seed weight showed high heritability with moderate genetic advance as per cent
of mean. These characters can be subjected to direct selection for further improvement in black
gram.
Correlation coefficients among the characters were studied to determine the association
between yield and yield components. Seed yield per plant showed significant positive correlation
with number of seeds per pod, pod length, number of pods per plant, harvest index and haulm
yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic level. Path analysis revealed that the harvest
index, days to 50% flowering, number of pods per plant, haulm yield per plant, 100 seed weight
and number of seeds per pod showed the high positive direct effect on seed yield. Number of
days for blooming and pod length exhibited negative direct effect on yield. Therefore,
simultaneous selection for harvest index, days to 50% flowering, number of pods per plant,
haulm yield per plant, 100 seed weight and number of seeds per pod would be effective for
improvement of seed yield in black gram.
Among the genotypes studied, VBN 5, ADT 3, AKU 15, MDU 1 and Sumanjana were
found to be high yielding varieties. In nutritional aspects, VBN 9 and AKU 15 were found to be
high in protein content. In terms of pasting properties, Sumanjana was found to be superior.
Therefore, considering both yield and quality aspects, VBN 5, Sumanjana and AKU 15 can be
best suited for Kerala conditions. The best performing varieties identified can be used as parent
for improving both yield and quality in further black gram breeding program or recommended
for general cultivation.