Path analysis in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]

The experiment was conducted to study on genetic architecture through variability parameters and association analysis for green forage yield and its characters in 78 germplasm lines including 3 checks (MFC-8-14, UPC-5286 and TSFC-12-15); with 3 replication, was carried out during Rabi 2015-16 studied for fifteen characters viz., plant height (cm), number of primary branches, days to 50% flowering, pod length (cm) number of locules per pod days to maturity, 100 Seed weight (g), seed yield per plant (g), leaf length (cm), leaf width (cm), leaf stem ratio green forage yield per day (q/ha/day), dry matter yield (q/ha), dry matter yield per day (q/ha/day) and green forage yield (q/ha). All the fifteen characters exhibited existence of variability significantly. This indicated existence of sufficient variability among the genotypes for the mentioned characters and sufficient scope for development of new variety or genotypes. These results are indicates that seed yield can be improved much better way by selection. Selection for these traits is likely to accumulate more additive genes leading to further improvement of performance of genotypes.