Character association in F_4 generation of cowpea

摘要

Association study in F_4 populations of four crosses was studied. Seed yield was positively correlated with all the eight yield components except number of pods per plant and crude fibre content in two F_4 crosses. Strong positive correlation was observed for pod length with seed yield in two crosses, number of seeds per pod, hundred seed weight, crude protein content with seed yield in one cross combination. Significant and negative correlation of crude fibre content with seed yield was observed in all the four crosses indicated the possibility of improving yield in positive direction with crude fibre content in negative direction. A positive association among pod length with number of seeds per pod, number of seeds per pod with hundred seed weight and hundred seed weight with crude protein content revealed the possibility of developing cultivar with an acceptable pod length with high number of seeds per pod.