Comparative genetic variability and traits’ heritability in vegetative and floral characters in accessions of two minor legumes

This study evaluated genetic variability and heritability in vegetative and floral characters among two minor legumes (Sphenotylis stenocarpa Ex. A. Rich. Harms and [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] of five accessions each. Six (6) floral and ten (10) vegetative characters were pooled for analysis on one hundred (100) plants of the two minor legumes. Appropriate statistical analyses were employed for comparative evaluation. Significant differences (P = 0.05) were observed in all the traits except rachis length. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed significant contributions of traits in lengths of calyx lobe, stipule, rachis and petiole; also in numbers of flowers per peduncle and of main branches to the expressed variability. The cluster analysis segregated the accessions into two major cluster groups. The broad sense heritability of traits was high (>95 %). The study is important in selection of valuable traits for conservation, management of genetic resources and hybridization programs of the two species.