Evaluation of Broad Bean (Vicia faba L) Genotypes for Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance

The study investigated the phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation (PCV and GCV) and heritability estimates for various agronomic and nutritional traits in Broad bean (Vicia faba). The analysis aimed to identify traits with optimum variability and heritability, as well as to explore the potential presence of additive genetic variance in specific characteristics.The 18 genotypes were grown in randomized block design with the 3 replication during Rabi season in the year 2021-22 at the Research Farm- 1, Department of Horticulture, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya-Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow-226025 (U.P.). The results showed that umber of seed per plant, number of pod per plant and seed yield per plant exhibited high estimates of both PCV and GCV, indicating the presence of adequate variability for these particular characters within the population. Additionally, the heritability for the characters of 100 seed yield, number of seed per plant, titratable acidity (g/l), total soluble solids (TSS) and genetic advance for the number of seed per plant, number of pod per plant, seed yield per plant, 100 seed weight were found to be significant indicating that these characters were predominantly governed by additive gene action. The findings of this study hold significant implications for future breeding programs and genetic improvement strategies. The high heritability and genetic advance for the above-mentioned characters suggest that these characteristics can be effectively manipulated through selective breeding to develop improved and high-yielding plant varieties.