Genetic divergence and interrelationships for yield and yield attributing traits in horsegram

Abstract

The present experiment was carried out to estimate the genetic diversity by cluster and Principal Component analyses for seven yield and yield attributing traits in 50 horsegram germplasm accessions and two checks during the late kharif, 2019. In correlation analysis, the grain yield was positively and significantly associated with test weight and number of pods which suggested the possibilities of improving grain yield by simultaneous improvement of these traits. Using cluster analysis, the accessions were grouped into five clusters. Based on the average cluster mean, the first cluster had high mean values for grain yield, the number of pods, test weight and plant height. The results of PCA revealed that, PC1, PC2, PC3 having eigenvalue greater than 1 contributed to the total variability of 82.69 per cent. Horsegram genetic improvement is receiving less attention from researchers across the globe. Using the results of this study, there is a tremendous space for genetic enhancement in grain yield of horsegram.

Genetic variability, correlation studies, path coefficient analysis and genetic divergence in horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.)

“…These results implied that the selection of genotypes with high mean values for a particular trait can be done and they can be employed in further crop improvement programmes. These were in accordance with the findings of Neelima et al (2021) The above study revealed the presence of wide variability among the thirty horsegram genotypes for all the traits studied. The selection for traits viz., nodes per plant, pod number per plant, seeds per pod, and 100 seed weight will be easy and would be useful in any further breeding programme for improving seed yield in horsegram.…”