Exploring Genetic Variability Parameters for Yield and its Contributing Traits in Lentil (Lens culinaris L. Medik)

Abstract

This research outlines into exploring the genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance among 33 diverse lentil genotypes for 11 quantitative traits in the rabi season of 2022-2023 in Punjab, India. Three replications of each of the 33 genotypes of lentil were planted in a randomized block design. The Analysis of Variance was found significant for all the traits under study, this implies that a significant amount of variation is present among these genotypes. The estimates of PCV and GCV were found to be moderate for most of the traits under study. Heritability estimates ranged from 96.80% to 45.08%, with a high heritability observed for traits like Days to maturity, No. of primary branches per plant, No. of secondary branches per plant, seed yield per plant, No. of pods per plant, Biological yield, No. of seeds per pod, Harvest index, and Day to 50% flowering. The traits with the highest estimates of genetic advance included Seed yield per plant, No. of primary branches per plant, No. of secondary branches per plant, and No. of seeds per pod. The study identified a significant genetic variability among the lentil genotypes, characterized by high heritability and genetic advance for key traits such as Seed yield per plant, No. of primary branches per plant, No. of secondary branches per plant and No. of seeds per pod. These results point towards the presence of additive gene effects influencing the inheritance of these traits, highlighting the efficacy of simple selection methods for enhancing lentil quality focusing on these essential agronomic characteristics.