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.