Search of genetically potent parents for recombination breeding in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]

Abstract

The Present investigation was undertaken to find out inherent diversity in locally collected germplasm of cowpea at S. G. College of Agriculture and Research Station, Jagdalpur, during 2016-17. D2 analysis grouped the test genotypes into 5 clusters on the basis of aggregate differences in characters taken, with variable number of entries in each cluster indicating the presence of sufficient genetic diversity in the genotypes. Cluster IV comprised of maximum number of 7 genotypes (CP-1, CP-11, CP-13, CP-16, CP-17, CP-18, CP-19), followed by cluster I (CP-3, CP-4, CP-5, CP-14, CP-15, Lobiya YB-7), cluster II (CP-2, CP-6, CP-7, CP-10, Lalima Sandhya-21), cluster III (CP-8, CP-9, CP-12) and cluster V (CP-20, Gayatri VU- 99). Out of the twelve traits evaluated, days to 50% flowering contributed maximum percent (49.01) towards the diversity, followed by days to 1st flowering (35.57) and 100 seed weight (10.28). The number of cluster per plant (1.19) showed the least contribution followed by number of pod per plant (0.79), peduncle length (0.79), plant height (0.79), pod length (0.79), green pod yield per plant (0.79), leaf length (0.01), leaf width (0.01), number of primary branches contributed (0.01) towards the divergence. Cluster I included six genotypes (CP-3, CP-4, CP-5, CP-14, CO-15 and Lobia YB -7) with highest mean value for number of primary branches (4.00), average highest for number of pod per plant (11.31). Based on present experiment it is concluded that genotypes between cluster II and III can be utilized in recombination breeding to get higher magnitude of heterosis. Further CP-9, CP-12 and CP-20 are concluded as potent parent among the population, and should be preferably incorporated in upcoming breeding programme.