Genetic Divergence in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Genetic divergence as measured by D2 technique was studied for seed yield and its components in 56 genotypes of chickpea. The genotypes were grouped into six clusters and the maximum intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster II comprising five genotypes. Clusters IV and V followed by I and IV, III and IV were identified as genetically divergent. Considering cluster mean and genetic distances hybridization involving genotypes BGD 116, BGD 115, KGDM 1181, BCP 17, BGM 524, BG 256, KGDB 1178 of cluster VI for seed yield plant), hundred seed weight and plant height; H 95–25, H 95–37 and H95–30 of cluster IV for pods plant); ICCV 97030, GCP 9610, ICCV 97039 of cluster II for early maturity; ICCV 97032, JSC 3 and ICCV 97034 of cluster I for primary branches plant I and early flowering; RSG 966, IPC 97-1, IPC 96–46, ICCV 97022 of cluster V for seed yield plant, pods plant I and bold seed are expected to produce wider genetic variability and promising segregants for seed yield and other desirable traits.