Genetic components and traits relationship in a panel of Black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] diverse genotypes

Sixty black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] genotypes consisting of germplasm lines, advanced breeding lines and released varieties were evaluated to devise the extent of genetic diversity. Trait association revealed that plot seed yield had positive significant relationship with most of the studied traits. The cluster analysis distributed the genotypes into seven clusters. Cluster I was largest with maximum 21 genotypes, followed by Cluster II and III comprising 12 and 9 genotypes, respectively. The first two principal components accounted 69.94% of the total variability among genotypes. The biplot and scatter plot matrix results were in accordance with correlation estimation, suggesting that indirect selection based on component traits would help in improving the seed yield in black gram. The genotypes under investigation demonstrated a wide range of diversity for considered traits. Furthermore, the presence of advanced breeding lines and released varieties in same cluster witnessed that only a small portion of the genetic diversity has been exploited in black gram genetic improvement program in India. It is recommended that diverse parents should be used to broaden the genetic base of cultivated black gram as well as to produce desirable recombinants for developing new improved black gram varieties.