Genetic variability and correlation in pigeonpea genotypes

Forty nine pigeon pea genotypes were evaluated at Agricultural Research Station Tandur during kharif 2015-16. Genotypes were grouped into six clusters based on Mahalonobis D2 statistics. Days to maturity contributed to maximum genetic divergence followed by days to 50% flowering. Maximum inter cluster distance was observed between clusters II and VI and intra cluster distance in cluster I and II. Genotypes in cluster V recorded highest mean values for number of secondary branches/plant and number of pods/plant and seed yield. Broad sense heritability estimates were highest for days to maturity and days to 50% flowering. Significant and positive genotypic and phenotypic correlation was observed between seed yield and number of pods/plant and number of secondary branches/plant. The range of GCV observed was 4.55 to 22.07% for the traits under study indicating the extent of variability present among the pigeon pea genotypes. Path coefficient analysis revealed that days to maturity exhibited maximum direct effect followed by number of pods/plant.