Bi-plot analysis for genetic diversity in black gram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper)

Thirty diverse blackgram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) accessions were evaluated for genetic variability using bioplot analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA), which transformed all the metric traits into single index of similarity, yielded 20 eigen vectors and eigen roots. The maximum eigen root value 7.01 was obtained by eigen vector 1 followed by 4.18, 1.75, 1.52 and 1.17 respectively for rest of the vectors. Based on 5 principal components (which accounted for 78.3% of total variation), accessions were grouped into 5 clusters. Maximum number of accessions (11 accessions) fell in cluster I, while minimum number was observed in cluster IV (3 accessions). The hybridization programme based on such analysis has been suggested which is likely to prove fruitful for the development of suitable genotypes in blackgram improvement programme.