Abstract

Five genetle parameters viz. heritability (h), genetic advance (GA.), genotypic correlation of characters with yield (rg). h.rg and path-coefficient of the characters on yield (p) were estimated using 30 varieties of greengram (Vigna radiata Wilczek). Based on these parameters as the criteria five groups of 1 to 9 characters selection indices were constructed. Expected genetic gain in yield due to the indices were com- puted and their efficiency over direct selection for yield per se was assessed. In all the five groups the efficiency of the ludices increased gradually with addition of char- acters to the indices. Combined direct and indirect selection was found to be more effective than indirect selection alone. The path-coefficient values of the characters on yield (p) was found to be the best criterian for choice of characters for construction of indices. The 6-character index based on pods/plant, 1000-seed wt., seeds, pods, reproductive period, clusters/plant, and yield/plant was found to be most efficient index in realising genetic advance in yield. Inclusion of characters like length of pod and niant height did not add much to the efficiency of indices.

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