Genetic Divergence Studies in Clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] Genotypes

Forty two clusterbean genotypes collected across the country were assessed for genetic divergence using Mahalanobis D2 technique. The genetic material exhibited wide range of genetic diversity for all the characters investigated and grouped into 15 different clusters. The maximum intra cluster distance was observed in cluster XIV indicated that genotypes are having diverse genetic architecture. The maximum inter-cluster distance was recorded between cluster VI and cluster XV, indicating the presence of wide range of variability among the genotypes of the cluster. The percent contribution towards genetic diversity was highest from 100 seed weight (44.48%) followed by seed yield per plant (26.25%). On the basis of inter-cluster distances and per se performance observed in the present study a hybridization programme involving genotypes for a specific character may be selected using cluster mean values.