Genetic Variability and Correlation Analysis in the F2 Population of the Cross, TMV 2 × ICGV 16690 for Improving the Oleic Acid Content in Groundnut

Aims: The improvement in crop yield depends upon the magnitude of genetic variability available in breeding material. An investigation was carried out in groundnut F2 population to study variability present and correlation for growth and yield attributes viz, days to fifty per cent flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of mature pods per plant, pod yield per plant, kernel yield per plant and shelling percentage. Study Design: Segregating population (F2). Place and Duration of Study: Zonal agricultural and horticultural research station, Babbur farm, Hiriyur, Chitradurga. Methodology: In this study, the widely cultivated groundnut variety TMV 2, known for its adaptability but low oleic acid content (36–40%), was crossed with ICGV 16690, a high-oleate (75–78%) and high-yielding line. A total of 165 F₂ plants derived from this cross were assessed during the kharif 2024 season for various growth and yield traits. Results: Significant variability was found for pod yield, kernel yield, shelling percentage, total pods, and mature pods per plant. These traits showed high broad-sense heritability, GCV, PCV, and GAM. All traits except shelling percentage had positive skewness and leptokurtic distribution. Pod yield per plant was strongly correlated with kernel yield (r = 0.95), total pods (r = 0.83), mature pods (r = 0.82), plant height (r = 0.61), primary branches (r = 0.50), and shelling percentage (r = 0.33), with similar trends for kernel yield. Conclusion: Further evaluation of these segregating materials may facilitate the development of a high oleate and high-yielding variety in the genetic background of the well-adapted TMV 2 variety, contributing to groundnut improvement in Karnataka.