Variability in black gram under partially shaded conditions

Abstract

Variability in nineteen varieties of black gram was studied, under partially shaded conditions in coconut plantations. Analysis of variance for nineteen characters showed significant differences among the varieties for ten characters. Analysis of variance for chlorophyll pigments (a and b) at flowering and pod maturity revealed that there was no significant difference in the chlorophyll content among the varieties, but significant differences existed among the varieties for the chlorophyll pigments estimated at flowering and pod maturity periods. High genotypic coefficient of variation, moderate to high heritability and high genetic advance recorded for leaf area index at 50 per cent flowering and accumulation of dry matter (photosynthetic efficiency) at 50 per cent and 100 per cent flowering, number of days to blooming and number of days to the first pod harvest suggest the reliability of these characters during selection programmes for the improvement of this crop.