Genetic divergence, variability and character association studies in bengal gram (Cicer arietinum L.)

Forty genotypes of bengalgram were studied for genetic diversity and genetic variability for seven yield attributes. The analysisof variance revealed wide genetic variation for all the traits studied. The genotypes were grouped into 8 clusters out of whichcluster I and II had the maximum number with seven genotypes each. Among the characters, seed yield contributed maximumtowards genetic divergence. The inter cluster D2 values ranged from 145.02 to 1086.57. A close correspondence between theestimates of GCV and PCV was observed for days to maturity, number of pods per plant and seed yield. High heritability withhigh genetic advance observed for seed yield, number of pods per plant and number of fruiting branches per plant indicatedadditive gene action for these traits. Seed yield exhibited positive significant correlation with days to 50% flowering, days tomaturity, number of fruiting branches per plant and number of pods per plant.