Dissection of Genetic Attributes among Yield Traits of Fodder Cowpea in F 3 and F 4

Cowpea is grown for both grain and fodder exhibiting wide range of variability. Analysis of variance for the thirteen characters revealed the presence of significant genotypic differences indicating the presence of sufficient variability in the experimental materials. In F3 and F4 generations, GCV and PCV indicates that almost all the characters were less influenced by the environment and the variability exists in these characters are under the genetic influence. The genotypic coefficients of variation were highest for the characters plant height, number of branches and leaf weight in both the generations. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was noticed for characters plant height, number of branches, and number of leaves, leaf length, stem thickness, leaf weight, stem weight, leafstem ratio, green fodder yield, dry matter yield and crude protein content. High heritability with moderate GA as per cent of mean was exhibited for days to 50 per cent flowering in F 3 and F 4 generation