Assessment of genetic diversity in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] germplasm under North-Western Himalayas

Abstract

In order to assess the genetic diversity, an experiment was conducted with 31 soybean genotypes grown in randomized block design with three replications. The data were recorded on ten important quantitative traits. The genotypes could be grouped into 10 clusters which indicated the presence of sufficient diversity among the tested genotypes. The cluster II was the largest one with thirteen genotypes. Highest inter-cluster distance was observed between clusters III and IX followed by between clusters II and III and clusters V and IX. Cluster IV showed the highest number of pods per plant which suggested that the genotype falling in this cluster can be selected directly and used in hybridization programme. Days to 75 per cent maturity contributed maximum to the genetic divergence followed by days to 50 per cent flowering and 100-seed weight. The genotypes falling under clusters V and VII can be used as a source population for early flowering and better yield based upon cluster means.