A mutant population comprising of 42 primary mutants, 7 secondary mutants and 4 tertiary mutants along with the parent Dharwad Early Runner (DER) and eight most popular groundnut varieties were evaluated during kharif 2012 for various agronomic, traits and for resistance to rust and late leaf spot. The genotypes showed significant genotypic differences for all the quantitative and nutritional traits studied. They also differed significantly for rust and LLS resistance except for LLS at 70 DAS. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) revealed high variability for number of pods/plant and pod yield/plant (g). LLS and rust resistance at three stages exhibited moderate variability. Number of pods/plant (g) and pod yield/plant (g) also showed very high heritability and genetic advance over mean. Moderately high heritability was observed for LLS and rust resistance at 80 and 90 DAS when compared to 70 DAS. Pod yield/plant (g) showed positive and significant phenotypic and genotypic correlation with number of pods/plant, shelling percentage, test weight (g), SMK (%) and pod length (cm). Pod yield/plant (g) showed negative but significant correlation both at phenotypic and genotypic level with scores taken at all the three stages of LLS and rust disease development. The association analyses between stages (70, 80 and 90 DAS) showed positive and significant phenotypic correlation for LLS and rust resistance. However, the association between LLS and rust resistance across the stages was not significant. Pod yield per plant (g) can be considered as a tool in selection programme to enhance groundnut productivity, as it showed high heritability coupled with high genetic advance over mean (GAM) and positive association with productivity traits. | Study of genetic variability and correlations in a mutant population of groundnut
