Evaluation of Genetic Variability in Fodder Cowpea for Enhancing Yield and its Contributing Traits

Thirty fodder cowpea genotypes (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) were analyzed for different genetic parameters for yield and its contributing traits using Randomized Block Design at Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Trivandrum. Significant differences among genotypes were observed for the eleven biometric traits studied. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were observed for traits such as the number of primary branches, number of leaves per plant, dry matter yield, green fodder yield, leaf and stem dry weights and leaf area index. Traits like days to first flowering and days to 50% flowering exhibited high heritability with moderate genetic advance as a percentage of the mean, indicating that selection for these traits would be effective due to additive gene effects. Moderate heritability and high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean were observed for traits such as plant height, number of primary branches and leaves, dry matter yield, green fodder yield, leaf and stem dry weights, leaf area index and leaf-to-stem ratio, suggesting that additive gene action governs these traits to a great extent and offers a good potential for improvement through selection than traits with low heritability. Thus, the information on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance as a percentage of the mean for yield-related traits provides a valuable foundation for improving traits and developing fodder cowpea genotypes with enhanced fodder yield potential.