Genetic Divergence for Yield and its Component Traits in Groundnut Germplasm

Abstract

Eighty-one genotypes of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) representing different groundnut centres were studied
for genetic divergence analysis utilizing Mahalanobis D2 analysis. Based on the genetic distance (D2value) groundnut
accessions were grouped into 16 clusters. Of the 16 clusters formed, cluster I was the largest with 47 accessions
followed by cluster II with 10 accessions. Test weight, days to maturity and oil content were the most potential
traits contributing to the total divergence. Cluster Xl and XVI had maximum inter-cluster distance suggesting wide
diversity and by utilizing these accessions from these clusters desirable segregants may be evolved through
hybridization. Cluster XII has genotype with most favorable characters and hence can be involved as potential parent
for development of superior genotypes