Assessment of genetic variation and divergence in black gram’s genotypes on climatic condition of Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

Total forty six genotypes of black gram were studied at College of Agriculture, Indore (M.P.). Wide differences found between PCV and GCV in respect of yield and yield attributing traits. Based on the estimates of genetic divergence through Mahalanobis’ D2 – statistic, total forty six genotypes of black gram were grown at College of Agriculture, Indore (M.P.) and grouped into 12 different clusters. Highest intra-cluster distance of 2.148 was observed for cluster I which comprises of five genotypes. Cluster II which contained one genotype, had lowest intra-cluster distance. The maximum inter-cluster distance of 9.900 was recorded between cluster V and cluster II. A cross between these two inter-cluster’s genotypes is expected to give a heterotic hybrid and wide spectrum of variability. The lowest inter-cluster distance of 2.333 was recorded between cluster IX and VIII. Highest intra-cluster distance & lowest inter-cluster distance indicates that the genotypes of these clusters were genetically less diverse and were almost with same genetic makeup or follows more or less same evolutionary phases during development.The cluster I (KU7-522, KU7-619, KU7-626, KU7-608 and IVU-486) had lowest mean value for earliness flower initiation, 50% flowering and maturity could be used to develop short duration black gram varieties; cluster III (KU7-632, KU8-611, KU8-612 and KU8-532) for dwarf plant type; cluster X (KU3-62, JU-840 and TPU-4) for tall plant type; cluster II (KU8-632) and cluster IV (KU7-320 and KU8-278) for more number of primary branches per plant, number of seeds per plant, number of pods per plant, biological yield per plant and seed yield per plant; cluster VI (RBU-466-D, KU8-476, JU-86, TYPE-9 and IVU-466-D) for seed weight that may be used as bold seeds. To improve any particular trait, donor may be selected from these clusters for hybridization program to evolve high yielding strains.