Selection indices in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Fifty diverse genotypes of groundnut were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications for the study of selection indices during summer 2014. Thirty-one selection indices involving pod yield per plant (X1) and four yield components viz., kernel yield per plant (X2) harvest index (X3), number of mature pods per plant (X4) and biological yield per plant (X5) were constructed using the discriminant function technique. Discriminant function analysis indicated that selection efficiency of the function was improved by increasing the number of characters in the index. Among the single character indices, biological yield per plant exhibited higher genetic advance and relative efficiency over straight selection for pod yield per plant. The index based on five characters viz., pod yield per plant, kernel yield per plant, harvest index, number of mature pods per plant and biological yield per plant recorded the highest genetic advance as well as relative efficiency and selection efficiency. These characters could be advantageously exploited in the groundnut breeding programmes.