Variability and genetic divergence studies in white seed coated pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (l.) millsp.]

One hundred and twenty pigeonpea accessions were evaluated for their variability and genetic divergence. Number of pods, seed yield per plant, primary and secondary branches per plant, raceme length, test weight and plant spread had the higher genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance as % of mean. The D² values were significant among the 120 genotypes, which were grouped into 12 clusters. Clustering pattern depicted the presence of sufficient genetic diversity, even in the germplasm collected from similar ecological regions. All clusters had at least one white seed coated genotype. The traits number of pods per plant, plant height, seed yield per plant, days to maternity and days to 50% flowering contributed most towards genetic divergence. Therefore, more importance should be given to these characters for the selection of parents for future breeding programme in white seed coated pigeonpea.