Evaluation of 37 soybean genotypes (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) for genetic diversity

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the genetic diversity among 37 soybean genotypes collected from Agricultural Research Station Kasbe Digraj, Sangli, Maharashtra, India. The genotypes, which included 30 soybean accessions and seven check varieties were evaluated during the 2023 kharif season using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with two replications. Observations were recorded for ten characters among 37 genotypes. Genetic divergence was analyzed using D² statistics which grouped the genotypes into 11 clusters based on the observed variability. The maximum intra-cluster distance was recorded in cluster IV while the maximum inter-cluster distance was noted between clusters III and X, indicating a significant potential for heterotic crosses between these groups. The contribution of individual traits to genetic diversity revealed that trypsin inhibitor activity contributed the most (84.98%) to total divergence. This study identifies clusters III, IV, VIII and X as sources of superior genotypes, making them ideal candidates for future hybridization programs to exploit heterosis and develop high-yielding soybean varieties with improved agronomic traits. The findings provide valuable insights into soybean breeding strategies for maximizing genetic diversity and crop improvement.