Genetic diversity analysis and identification of promising lines for hybridization in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): Diversity analysis for identification of promising lines of chickpea

Forty genotypes of chickpea were evaluated for assessing genetic divergence for different quantitative characters for improving yield potential of chickpea by using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. The genotypes were grouped into seven clusters suggesting considerable amount of genetic diversity in the material. The intra-cluster D2 value ranged from 0.00 to 9.06 while, intercluster D2 value ranged from 4.07 to 55.71. The maximum intra cluster distance was exhibited by cluster V followed by cluster II and cluster I. Cluster III had mono- genotype and emerged with contained highest cluster mean value grain yield per plot. Cluster II has highest mean value for number of pods per plant and lowest mean value for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and plant height. Maximum contribution toward the total divergence was exhibited by 100-seed weight followed by number of pods per plant and minimum by days to maturity. Cluster IV and VI showing maximum inter cluster distance and crossing of genotypes Sabour chana-1 (BRC-1), GCP 105, PBC 503, DC 16-2, NBeG 776, RVSSG 42, G2016-43, GL 14042, IPC 2013-21, GNG 2338, GNG 2375 and KWR 108 from cluster VI suggested for improving grain yield per plot, 100-seed weight and earliness in flowering and ultimately enhancing the yield and chances of getting better recombinants in segregating generations.