Genetic divergence studies in clusterbean [Cyamopsis Tetragoloba (L.) Taub.] genotypes for seed yield and gum content under rain-fed conditions.

The genetic diversity among 33 cluster bean genotypes was evaluated under rain fed conditions during kharif 2012. The genetic material exhibited wide range of genetic diversity for all the twelve characters investigated. All the genotypes were grouped into seven different clusters. Cluster I was the largest comprising 11 genotypes followed by cluster II consisting of 8 genotypes, cluster V (5), cluster VI (4), cluster IV (2), cluster VII (2), cluster III (1 ). The clustering pattern indicated that there was lot of diversity among the genotypes and there was no relationship between the genetic and geographical diversity of the genotypes, but the distribution of the genotypes was random and independent. The intra cluster distance was highest at cluster VI followed by cluster I and II over others. The higher magnitude of inter-cluster distance were observed between cluster IV and VI (7.644) followed by cluster IV and V (7.582); cluster II and IV (6.802); cluster IV and VII (6.682); cluster I and IV (6.569); cluster II and VII (6.052); cluster III and IV (5.861) and cluster II and V (5.834) indicating wider genetic diversity between the genotypes in these clusters. The uses of genotypes in hybridization from these clusters having most of the desirable characters are likely to produce more transgressive segregants. It is suggested that genotypes belonging to the clusters I, IV and VII having diversified growth habit may be crossed with genotypes belonging to cluster II as they may be expected to produce good segregants with high yield potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]