Genetic Divergence Studies in Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.)

The present study was undertaken to provide information on nature and magnitude of genetic diversity among promising genotypes of mungbean, genetic divergence were estimated in 120 elite genotypes for single plant yield and its component traits using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. The genotypes were grouped into 12 clusters. Cluster XII was the largest with 46 genotypes, followed by cluster X with 30 genotypes. Clusters VI showed the maximum intra cluster distance while the highest inter cluster distance was observed between cluster VII and cluster VI. Cluster XI exhibited highest mean values for number of pod clusters, number of pods per plant and single plant yield. None of the clusters possessed genotypes with all the desirable traits which could be directly employed in the crossing programme. However, genotypes of clusters having maximum inter cluster distance may be used as potential parents for hybridization program for developing high yielding mungbean varieties.