Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance of yield and related traits of Spanish bunch groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Twenty diverse genotypes of Spanish bunch groundnut were evaluated during late kharif in 2012 to assess the variability, heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean for nineteen characters viz., days to 50% flowering, SPAD chlorophyll meter reading at 40; 50; 60; 70 DAS and at maturity, days to maturity, number of mature pods per plant, biological yield per plant (g), pod yield per plant (g), biological yield per hectare (q), pod yield per hectare (q), harvest index, 100 kernel weight (g), shelling percentage, kernel yield per plant (g), kernel yield per hectare (q), oil content (%) and oil yield per hectare (q). The results revealed that high PCV and GCV was observed for harvest index and pod yield per hectare (q) respectively. High heritability accompanied with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was recorded for number of mature pods per plant, biological yield per plant (g), pod yield per plant (g), biological yield per hectare (q), pod yield per hectare (q), harvest index, kernel yield per plant (g), kernel yield per hectare(q) 100 kernel weight (g) and oil yield per hectare (q) indicated the preponderance of additive gene action which may be exploited through simple selection methods.