Genetic diversity studies in soybean (Glycine Max (L.) Miller)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted during Kharif 2024 to assess genetic diversity and identify promising parents for future breeding programs. A total of 100 soybean genotypes, along with five checks, were evaluated using an augmented block design comprising four blocks. In this study, genetic divergence among the genotypes was evaluated using D² analysis. The 100 genotypes were grouped into eight clusters based on the D² values. Cluster I was the largest, consisting of 63 genotypes, followed by Cluster II with 21 genotypes and Cluster IV with 10 genotypes. Clusters III, V, VI, and VIII each contained a single genotype. Plant height (31.67%) and pods per plant (29.05%) contributed the most toward total genetic diversity. The highest intra-cluster distance was observed in Cluster VII, while the greatest inter-cluster distance was recorded between Clusters IV and VII.