Genetic architecture of seed yield and its attributing traits in clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) grown under semi-arid region of Punjab

An experiment was conducted during 2003 and 2004 to study the nature and magnitude of genetic parameters and its utilization in development of superior genotypes of clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub]. Genetic parameters, viz genetic co-efficient of variation, phenotypic co-efficient of variation, heritability (h 2 ) and genetic advance were calculated for seed yield and yield attributing components in 42 diverse genotypes of clusterbean. Characters, like seed yield/plant, biological yield, number of branches/plant and plant height exhibited considerable magnitude of genetic co-efficient of variation (>20%) along with high estimates of heritability indicating that phenotypic per se selection improvement of these traits could be brought about by simple methods. Though 100-seed weight had the highest phenotypic correlation with seed yield/plant, but its direct contribution was negligible. However, it showed significant effect on seed yield/plant via plant height (0.38), branches/plant (0.26) and biological yield (0.15). Path co-efficient analysis revealed that the seeds/pod and pods/plant had highest direct effect on seed yield/plant.