GENETICAL STUDIES FOR SEED YIELD AND YIELD CONTRIBUTING CHARACTERS IN COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA (L.) WALP)

The experimental material consisted of 80 entries comprising 60 hybrids, five lines and twelve testers along with three check hybrids viz., PL3, DC15 and RC101.Significant genotypic differences were observed for characters, both at individual and pooled data from multiple locations indicating presence of diversity among the genotypes.The cross Phule Sonali x SNAGR 12-33 exhibited highest mid parent heterosis, better parent heterosis and standard heterosis over check DC15 in desirable directions for days to 50% flowering.Similarly, the cross GC3 x IC599262 exhibited significantly highest negative average heterosis.Highest heterobeltosis was recorded by Phule Sonali x SNAGR 12-33.The significantly superior standard heterosis over checks, DC 15, PL 3 and RC 101 in desirable direction was noticed in crosses viz., PL 4 x IC599262, Phule Sonali x SNAGR 12-33 and PL 4 x IC 599262 for days to maturity.The highest positive significant standard heterosis over all the three checks were recorded by promising crosses viz., GC 3 x EC 724805, PL 4 x EC 724805, GC 3 x EC 724382, Phule Sonali x 329764 and Phule Rakhumai x IC 626138 for seed yield per plant