GENETIC DIVERGENCE STUDIES IN SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX (L.) MERRILL)

Abstract

Genetic divergence study of 64 genotypes of soybean for 11 traits led to their grouping into 11 clusters. Grouping of genotypes in different clusters was not related to their geographic origin, and genotypes from different geographic locations were grouped into one cluster while genotypes of the same geographic origin showed genetic diversity. The.diversity among the genotypes, measured by intercluster distances, was adequate for improvement by hybridization and selection. Based on mean performance, genetic distance and clustering pattern, hybridization involving genotypes SDP (L), KB 83, KB 85, IC 16990 and AMSS 52 are likely to give desirable segregates. Based on the differences in cluster means, 10o-grain weight, followed by plant height and pods/plant, were the major factors of differentiation among genotypes.