Genetic Divergence for Yeild and Quality Components in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)

The existence of genetic divergence among the 22 cowpea genotypes was examined by employing Mahalanobis's D² statistics. The genotypes were grouped into four nonoverlapping clusters showed genetic diversity rather geographical diversity. The maximum intra-cluster distance (3.377) was obtained for cluster I followed by (2.795) cluster III and (2.014) cluster II. The lowest intra cluster D² value was shown by cluster IV (0.000) which had only one genotypebelonging to the cluster. The highest inter cluster D² values were observed between cluster I and cluster IV (8.045) followed by cluster III and IV (7.925), cluster II and cluster IV (7.086) and cluster II and cluster III (4.864). The lowest inter cluster was found between cluster I and cluster III (3.548) followed by cluster I and cluster II (4.151). Thus, intercrossing of genotypes fromdifferent clusters showing superior mean performance may help in obtaining higher yields. Genotypes belonging to cluster I may produce better heterosis and segregants with the genotypes of cluster III and IV.