Vegetos

Abstract

Forty three diverse pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes were evaluated for genetic divergence with respect to eleven morphological and two quality traits. The study indicated presence of considerable divergence among genotypes. Based on the relative magnitude of D² values, genotypes were grouped into seven clusters with maximum number of genotypes in cluster VI (11). Most of early maturing genotypes with low mean values for node at which first flower appear, days to fifty percent flowering, TSS and days to marketable maturity were grouped in cluster III. The average intra cluster distance was highest in cluster VII (2.405) and minimum in cluster V (1.175). Inter cluster distance was maximum between cluster I and IV (9.879) indicating that hybridization between genotypes from these clusters can prove fruitful for obtaining superior transgressive segregants. Cluster means for various characters was worked out in which cluster IV was found superior for most of horticultural traits. Cluster analysis has proved to be an effective method in grouping genotypes that may facilitate effective germplasm management.