Studies on genetic diversity for yield, quality and yield attributing traits in cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] genotypes

The study was carried out to assess the genetic divergence among 56 cluster bean genotypes using Mahalanobis D². Fifty-six genotypes were grouped into 8 clusters based on 11 characters. The intra-cluster distances were seen to be lower than the inter-cluster distances. The maximum inter-cluster distance was noticed between cluster VI and VII whereas, inter-cluster D2 value was least between cluster I and V. The maximum intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster IV. Clusters V, VII and VIII had only one genotype each and hence intra-cluster distance was 0.00. The per cent contribution towards genetic diversity was maximum in 100 seed weight (52.08%) followed by the protein content of pods (45.19%). On the basis of inter-cluster distances observed, the genotypes with specific characters can be utilized for the hybridization programme.