AICRP on Pulses, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bangalore 560 065 (Karnataka).
A total of 144 collections of field bean belonging to southern Karnataka revealed considerable diversity. The accessions were grouped into 15 dusters. The genetic diversity observed was not related to geographic diversity. Grain yield, pods per plant, inflorescence per plant, branches per plant and days to 50% flowering were the most potential traits contributing to the total divergence. Clusters XV and VIII were important because they comprised accessions with high yield, pod number, inflorescence per plant and branches per plant (duster XV) and early duration and photoinsensitivity (duster VIII). By utilizing these accessions desirable segregants may be evolved through hybridization.
Field bean, Lablab purpureus, divergence, clusters
