author(s)
Kiran K Jakhotra, SM Makwana, Dharvi P Madhani and Lata J Raval

abstract
A field trial was conducted to estimate “Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance studies in vegetable cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]” using 40 genotypes. The variability parameters like coefficient range, GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance were estimate for 14 different characters. The result revealed that analysis of variance showed that the mean squares for all traits were significantly influenced by genotypes, indicating substantial genetic variability in the experimental material. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) exceeded the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) slightly for all the traits examined, suggesting a relatively low influence of environmental factors on the expression of these traits. The high to moderate genotypic coefficient of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed for green pod yield per plant, ten pod weight, hundred fresh seeds weight, pod length, plant height, number of pods per cluster, pod width and number of pods per plant, while high heritability (broad sense) values were observed for all the twelve characters except for the two characters days to first green pod picking and days to last picking. The genetic advance expressed as percentage of mean was found high for green pod yield per plant followed by days to 50% flowering, ten pod weight, hundred fresh seeds weight, pod length and number of pods per cluster.