ABHAY DASHORA, S.R. MALOO, KAILASH CHANDRA SHARMA, O.P. AMETA AND H.N. GOUR

Sixteen diverse spanish bunch groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes were evaluated during two crop seasons for genetic variability, biotic stresses and their inter-relationship with yield and its component traits. Highly significant differences among genotypes were recorded for most of the traits studied indicating presence of significant variability in the material. The higher magnitude of GCV and PCV was recorded for 100- kernel weight, late leaf spot, dry pod yield, kernel yield and jassid incidence depicting the presence of ample variability for these traits. On the basis of pooled data, high heritability coupled with high to moderate genetic gain was observed for dry pod yield, kernel yield, 100-kernel weight, incidence of jassids and late leaf spot indicating the preponderance of additive gene effects. Correlation and path coefficient analysis revealed that the kernel yield, 100-kernel weight and shelling per cent were the most important characters for realizing improvement in pod yield. Six genotypes showed higher yield combined with less incidence of late leaf spot and jassids over checks under natural field conditions indicating concomitant improvement for yield and tolerance to insectpest/ disease.