Genetic divergence and character association in Indo-African derivatives of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]

Abstract

Genetic divergence and character association in sixty four F6 progenies (Indo-African derivatives) of pigeonpea indicated significant variability. High heritability coupled with moderate to high genetic advance for grain yield/plant, plant height, number of pods/plant, days to 50% flowering and days to maturity showed importance of additive gene effects and thereby higher selection value for these traits. Grain yield was significantly and positively correlated with plant height, branches/plant, pods/plant, pod length, seeds/pod and 100-seed weight. Path coefficient analysis too revealed that pods/plant had the highest positive direct effect on grain yield/plant. Accordingly, pods/plant, pod length, seeds/pod and 100-seed weight may be considered during selection. The sixty-four derivatives were grouped in eight clusters with inter-cluster distances ranging from 2.124 to 5.463, indicating substantial diversity among the derivatives. Cluster VIII (63.81 g) had the highest mean values for grain yield/plant followed by cluster VI (52.78 g) and cluster VII (32.93 g). Therefore, genotypes from the above clusters may be exploited in both conventional and heterosis breeding programmes.