Studies on Genetic Divergence Analysis in Black Gram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) Genotypes

In order to select superior genotypes for the creation of genetic stock for hybridization program or the introduction of a crop variety, plant breeders can assist from genetic diversity both within and between plant species. Mahalanobis D2 Statistics was used to conduct the current study on Genetic Divergence and clustering pattern utilizing twenty eight different genotypes of Black gram. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design with three replications at Plant Breeding Farm, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. Nine different biometrical characteristics were observed and documented viz., plant height at maturity (PH), pod length (LP), number of branches per plant (NBPP), number of clusters per plant (NCPP), number of pods per cluster (NPPC), number of pods per plant (NPPP), number of seeds per pod (NSPP), 100 seed weight (SW), and seed yield per plant (SY). All of these characters have a significant degree of variability, according to an analysis of variance. Mahalanobis (D2) static revealed considerable genetic diversity among the genotypes. Genotypes were grouped into 6 clusters. Cluster VI was the largest including 11 genotypes. The intra-cluster distance for cluster IV is the maximum and the lowest intra-cluster distance was reported for cluster II. The highest inter-cluster distance was revealed between cluster I and III and then between cluster II and III. This demonstrates unambiguously that the genotypes in this cluster exhibit a wide range of genetic variation and may be useful in a black gramme hybridization scheme to increase production. Between clusters I and II, the minimal inter-cluster distance was discovered. The percentage that each character contributed to the overall divergence was as follows: the number of pods per plant (50.997), the greater seed output (50.997), and the 100 seed weight (29.456). (8.121). It is proposed that crossings between parents from the most divergent clusters should show the highest level of heterosis as well as the greatest degree of genetic architectural variability.