Genetic divergence analysis in kabuli chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

Genetic diversity using Mahalanobis D² statistics was studied in 22 genotypes of kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) for seed yield, its components and seed quality traits. The 22 genotypes were grouped into three clusters based on D² analysis. The cluster I and III were largest which consisted of 9 genotypes each and cluster II had 4 genotypes. The maximum inter-cluster distance was observed in between cluster II and III followed by cluster I and II whereas, cluster I and III with minimum distance. The maximum intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster II followed by cluster III and cluster I with minimum intra-cluster distances. The genotypes KAK-2 and HK-06-163 of cluster I having high seed yield per plant could be included in hybridization programme. The genotypes belonging to cluster II viz., RVSSG-11, RVSSG-12, Phule G-09311 and phule G-09316 could be utilized as parents in future breeding programme.