MSc

The present study entitled “Variability analysis in fodder horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.)” was carried out in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2017-2019, with an objective to identify superior genotypes of horse gram for fodder yield, quality and multicut purpose.
The study was conducted with thirty genotypes of fodder horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.), which were collected from NBPGR. These genotypes were evaluated for yield, quality and multicut ability. The field experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with thirty treatments and three replications during September 2018- January 2019. The crop was cut at 50 per cent flowering stage and was allowed to regrow to check the multicut ability. The observations were taken during the harvest and the recorded data was subjected to statistical analysis. Analysis of variance was conducted for all the characters studied and it was found that the genotypes were significantly different for all the characters, namely plant height (cm), number of branches plant -1, number of leaves plant -1, leaf to stem ratio, leaf area index, dry matter production, green fodder yield, dry fodder yield, production efficiency, crude protein content, crude fibre content and crude protein yield. The significant difference shows scope for selection of desirable genetic material for further improvement. The genotype T26 (IC-121640) recorded maximum total green fodder yield (22.88 t ha -1) and dry fodder yield (4.29 t ha-1). A minimum green fodder yield of 10.11 t ha-1 was recorded for the genotype T27(IC-123022).
The genotype T6 (IC-561040) recorded the maximum green fodder yield (14.97 t ha -1) and dry fodder yield (2.11 t ha -1) in the first cut. The genotype T6 (IC-561040) performed better for characters such as plant height (144 cm), crude protein yield (0.525 t ha -1) and production efficiency (0.25). The genotype T26 (IC-121640) performed superior for characters such as number of branches plant -1 (6.87) and number of leaves plant -1 (91.13). The genotype T21 (IC-89011) had highest crude protein content (25.52%) and low value for crude fibre content was estimated for genotype T1 (24.40%). Observations from the regrown plants revealed that the regeneration ability of genotypes varied widely. During the second cut, the highest green fodder yield was recorded for genotype T26 (IC-121640) (9.69 t ha -1) along with the highest dry fodder yield (2.44 t ha -1). The genotype T26 (IC-121640) recorded the maximum total green fodder yield (22.88 t ha -1) and dry fodder yield (4.29 t ha-1). Incidence of web blight was noticed and necessary measurements were taken.
The components of variation namely, genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were analysed. High PCV and GCV was observed for characters leaf area index, crude protein yield and number of leaves per plant. The character leaf area index exhibited the highest GCV (48.146%) and PCV (47.928%). Selection can be carried out for these characters which will result in the improvement of the genotypes. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for the characters viz. leaf area index, number of leaves, crude protein content, green fodder yield, crude protein yield, dry matter yield, production efficiency, plant height and dry fodder yield. These characters if selected, would improve over generations.
The green fodder yield was found to be significantly and positively correlated with dry fodder yield, number of leaves plant -1, crude protein content, number of branches plant -1, plant height and leaf area index. Green fodder yield showed negative correlation with crude fibre content. Path analysis partitions the correlation coefficients into the measures of direct and indirect effects of the characters studied. Path analysis revealed that the characters viz. dry fodder yield, number of branches plant -1, number of leaves plant -1, leaf area index, crude protein content and crude fibre content had direct positive effect on green fodder yield. The character plant height had negative direct effect on green fodder yield.
The selection index was calculated based on the characters plant height, number of branches plant -1, number of leaves plant -1, leaf area index and green fodder yield. From the selection index calculated, genotype T26 (IC-121640) ranked first and was followed by genotype T30 (IC-89016) and T6 (IC-561040).
The study revealed that there was wide variability present among the genotypes for all the characters studied. The genotype T26 (IC-121640) which was superior in green fodder yield, dry fodder yield and the yield attributing characters like number of branches plant-1 and number of leaves plant -1 was found suitable for multicut purpose. The top-ranking genotypes such as T26 (IC-121640), T30 (IC-89016) and T6 (IC-561040) can be forwarded to further trials for variety development.