Character Association and Genetic Diversity in Rainfed Greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

Sixteen greengram genotypes were evaluated for their yield performance as well as inter-relationship among morphological traits and genetic diversity. The variation in shoot weight, root weight, nodules/plant and nodule weight was quite high among varieties ranging from 2.62–9.20 g, 0.18–0.49 g, 16.5–28.5 and 60.23–154.35g, respectively per plant. The mean number of days taken to flowering was 38.78 ranging from 32.66 in OUM 11-5 to 71.0 in Phulbani Black mung. The most promising varieties with respect to yield were found to be Pusa 9531 and Dhauli (more than 7.0 q/ha). The number of pods/plant, pod length and seeds/pod exhibited significant positive correlation with greengram yield. However, the association of seed yield with days to 50% flowering, maturity duration, plant height and dry biomass was found to be significantly negative. Based on the dendrogram depicting the morphological similarity, the varieties were classified under three distinct main clusters. The local type, Phulbani Black mung was found to be most divergent from other greengram varieties and could be better exploited in crop improvement.