Analysis of genetic divergence in water use, efficient germplasm of groundnut, Arachis hypogaea L.

摘要

An analysis of genetic divergence was carried out in 100 accessions of water use efficient groundnut germplasm. The germpiasm were grouped into seven clusters. Among the 15 characters considered, the contribution of chlorophyll content was maximum (24.2%) followed by 100-kernel weight (19.8%), haulm yield/plant (12.6%) and shelling per cent (11.6%). The maximum inter-cluster distance was between IV and VI (D-694.0). The maximum intra-cluster distance was reported in cluster VI (D-123.7) followed by cluster VII (D-104.4). The cluster VII has showed the highest cluster mean for six characters viz., pod yield/plant, shelling percent, kernel yield/plant, haulm yield/plant, oil content and oil yield/plant. The accessions JAL-36, JAL-36, ICG-3138, ICG-3170, ICG-1448 and ICG-1789 could be used in breeding programme with accessions in cluster VII to develop drought tolerant cultivars.