Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Cluster Analysis for Yield and Yield-Related Traits in Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)
Poornima Saini
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (U.P.), India.
Mahipat Singh
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (U.P.), India.
Mousmi Syed *
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (U.P.), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present investigation was undertaken to assess the genetic diversity and cluster pattern among fifteen mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) genotypes based on yield and yield-related quantitative traits. The genotypes were evaluated for quantitative and physiological characters, and genetic divergence was assessed using Tocher’s method. The fifteen genotypes were grouped into five distinct clusters, indicating the presence of considerable genetic diversity among the genotypes. Cluster I comprised five genotypes, namely MH-421, GM-7, MH-1142, RMG-1131 and NANDI GOLD, whereas Clusters II and III consisted of three genotypes each. Cluster IV and Cluster V contained two genotypes each. Among the characters studied, seed yield per plant contributed the maximum (27.23%) to the total genetic diversity, followed by relative injury (24.03%), specific leaf area (21.51%), harvest index (8.40%) and 100-seed weight (8.24%). Days to maturity showed no contribution to genetic divergence, while plant height and number of pods per cluster contributed 0.34% each. The cluster means revealed considerable differences among clusters for most of the traits. Cluster IV recorded the highest seed yield per plant (11.40 g), whereas Cluster III showed the highest 100-seed weight (4.64 g) and number of pods per plant (29.08). Cluster IV also exhibited the highest relative water content (91.19%), while Cluster III recorded the lowest relative injury (43.32%), indicating better physiological performance under the conditions of evaluation. Cluster V showed the highest number of seeds per pod (12.00) but had the lowest 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant. The observed divergence among clusters suggests the existence of substantial genetic variability that can be effectively utilised in mungbean breeding programmes. Genotypes belonging to genetically diverse clusters, particularly those possessing desirable yield and physiological attributes, may be considered promising parents for hybridisation and subsequent selection aimed at improving yield and associated traits in mungbean.
Keywords: Cluster analysis, genetic divergence, genetic diversity, mungbean, physiological traits, quantitative traits, seed yield, yield-related traits