VARIABILITY, INTFJRREI JATIONSFI IP AND PATH ANALYSIS OF AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS IN MUNGBEAN ( Vigna radiata L. Wikzek)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in a tield laboratory at the experimental field of Sher-e Bangla Agricultural University. Dhaka, during March 2008 to June 2008. To evaluate the performance of 45 munghean genotypes for variability, interrelationship and path analysis.The highest mean value was observed for days to 50% flowering. This character also exhibited the highest range of variation (56.35- 29) which indicated that all the genotypes showed wide range of variation in respect of this character. It showed high heritability (59.01%) accompanied with low genetic advance in percentage of mean and the phenotypic variance (15.74) was higher than the genotypic variance (5.48). The significant positive correlation at the 5% level was observed for seeds per pod with branches per plant at genotypic level and the signiticant positive correlation at the 1% level seed yield per plant with plant height and seeds per pod with branches per plant both at genotypic level. Heritability in broad sense was moderate to high for all the characters sLudied and it ranged from 37.04% to 59.01% which indicated that selection based on phenotypic expression of any character for breeding could be effective. The genetic advance was very low to moderate. These findings proved that it was indicated of nonadditive gene action. The high heritability was being exhibited due to favorable influence of environment rather than genotypes. Thus, the genotypes which performed well in various characters were due to genetic reasons and have a possibility for improvement through selection in the subsequent generations.