Studies of Genetic Parameters in Exotic Collections of Fava Bean (Vicia fava L.)

The present investigation “Studies of genetic parameters in exotic collections of fava bean (Vicia fava L.)” was carried out to assess the extent of genetic variability, nature of association, direct and indirect effects of yield contributing characters of seed yield per plant in forty-six genotypes of fava bean at Vegetable Research Farm, Chandra ShekharAzad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (U.P.) during Rabi 2019-20. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the forty-six fava bean genotypes for seed yield per plant traits indicating the presence of sufficient variability for all the traits under the study. High phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) recorded for characters like, number of clusters per plant, 100 seed weight, pod length and number of branches per plant. All the traits indicating the presence of high degree of variability and better scope for further crop improvement. The moderate PCV and GCV were observed for number of seeds per pod, plant height and number of pods per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was recorded for days to maturity, number of clusters per plant, 100 seed weight, seed yield per plant, days to 50 per cent flowering, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod. For all the traits indicating less influence of environment on the expression of these characters and they may be governed by additive gene action so simple selection can be practiced for improvement of these traits along with seed yield. The high significant and positive association of seed yield per plant with 100 seed weight and number of clusters per plant indicates that these characters should be given emphasis while selecting plants for improvement of seed yield. Path analysis revealed that, the characters like 100 seed weight, number of clusters per plant and days to maturity had direct effect on seed yield per plant, indicating a true relationship between them. Therefore, simultaneous selection for above traits is suggested for the improvement of seed yield per plant in fava bean.