Vol. 12, Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
Hussainbi, Hasan Khan, Arunkumar B, Tembhurne BV and Anand P Patil

Abstract:
Divergence studies through Mahalanobis D² statistics indicated the presence of considerable diversity by forming large number of clusters with wide range of inter cluster distances. The present investigation was carried out during summer 2021 to study F₃ segregating generation of two cowpea crosses viz., VBN-1 × RC-19 and KBC-9 × PGCP-6 using augmented random block design at College of Agriculture, Kalaburagi. Data were recorded on 10 different quantitative traits. The Mahalanobis analysis revealed that 100 family rows of F_2:3 populations of VBN-1 × RC-19 cowpea were grouped into 7 clusters, while 70 family rows of F_2:3 populations of KBC-9 × PGCP-6 grouped into 7 clusters. In F_2:3 populations of VBN-1 × RC-19, cluster I was largest comprising of 65 genotypes, while in F_2:3 populations of KBC-9 × PGCP-6, cluster I was largest comprising of 55 genotypes. The inter-cluster distance was larger than intra-cluster distance which indicated that greater diversity is present among the genotypes of distant group. The maximum intra-cluster D² distances was recorded by cluster V in F_2:3 populations of VBN-1 × RC-19; cluster V in F_2:3 populations of KBC-9 × PGCP-6. The maximum inter cluster distance was observed between cluster VI and VII in F_2:3 populations of VBN-1 × RC-19; cluster V and VI in F_2:3 populations of KBC-9 × PGCP-6. Hence, segregants from these clusters may be utilized as parents for hybridization which would result in high heterotic combination for yield components. Seed yield/plant contributed maximum towards the divergence in both the segregating population, followed by dry matter content/plant and test weight.