Genetic diversity and path coefficient analysis in Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] germplasm accessions of Bastar origin

Abstract

Forty five pigeonpea germplasms were studied for path coefficient and genetic divergence. The path coefficient analysis revealed that, the number of pod clusters plant ^-1 had the highest direct effect on seed yield. Whereas, the characters namely number of pods plant^-1and days to maturity had the highest indirect effect on seed yield via the characters number of pods plant^-1and days to 50% flowering respectively. Cluster analysis showed existence of considerable diversity in pigeonpea germplasm accessions. The maximum inter cluster distance was observed between cluster I and IV. Hence, genotypes of cluster IV may be crossed with the genotypes of to cluster I to obtain high heterotic response and desirable segregants.