Different selection indices were constructed in 96 germplasm accessions of pigeonpea
(Cajanus cajan L.) on the basis of multiple regression analysis and discriminant functions
to determine the relative importanceof variouscomponentcharacters. Genetic advance was
used to compare the efficiency of different selection indices. The multiple regression
equation involving all the characters, viz. days to flowering, duration of flowering, days to
maturity, plant height, primary branches, secondary branches, pods per plant, seeds per
pod, 100-seed weight, protein content and harvest index indicated that 74% of variation in
seed yield were explained by these characters. All the partial regression coefficients except
for flowering duration, protein content, seeds per pod and primary branches were
significant and the degree of determination was not affected when multiple regression
equation was fitted with characters having significant partial regression coefficients.
Different discriminant functions fitted for the characters showing significant partial
regression on seed yield showed that secondarybranches, followed by seed yield, pods per
plant, harvestindex, days to maturity, plantheight, and 100-seedweight were the important
characters. The best character combination was of secondary branches and seed yield,
which was 1370/. more efficient than straight selection for seed yield. The efficiency
increased with every additional character. In the present investigation the index involving
four characters, viz. secondary branches, seed yield, pods per plant and harvest index, was
effective and efficient.
Keywords: Pigeonpea, selection index, discriminant function.
Year: 1995
Volume: 55
Issue: 4
Article DOI: NA
Print ISSN: 0019-5200
Online ISSN: 0975-6906
T. S. SANDHU, K. R. REDDY AND R. K. GUMBER info_circle
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