Vol. 10, Issue 11 (2021)

Author(s):
G Mallikarjuna, K Nagendra Rao, T Srinivas, D Ramesh and M Tushara

Abstract:
The present investigation was undertaken with 40 blackgram genotypes to estimate genetic diversity for seed yield, yield components and seed protein content. The diversity was evaluated using multivariate technique of Mahalanobis D². The genotypes studied were grouped into seven clusters. Cluster I was the largest, comprising of 14 genotypes followed by Cluster IV with seven genotypes, Cluster V with six genotypes, Cluster II and III with five genotypes each, while Cluster VI and VII comprised of one and two genotypes, respectively. The distribution of genotypes was random and genotypes from different geographic regions were grouped in the same cluster, while genotypes from the same geographic region were scattered in different clusters, indicating that there is no parallelism between geographical diversity and genetic diversity. Results on inter-cluster distance revealed maximum diversity between genotypes of Cluster VI and Cluster VII, while intra-cluster distance was noticed to be maximum for Cluster V. Cluster VI recorded maximum seed yield per plant, in addition to plant height, number of clusters per plant and hundred seed weight. This cluster had also recorded protein content more than 20 per cent, number of seeds per pod more than six and number of pods per plant more than 50 and hence, the genotype, LBG 20 belonging to the cluster may be utilized in hybridization programmes aimed at improvement of these traits. Further, days to maturity (64%) was noticed to contribute maximum for genetic divergence, followed by number of pods per plant (44.36%) and minimum contribution was observed for number of seeds per pod (0.26%).