Research work · 2025
ANALYSIS OF GENETIC DIVERSITY FOR SEED YIELD AND ITS RELATED TRAITS IN SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX L. MERRILL) GENOTYPES
Plant Archives
Abstract
The present investigation was carried out to assess genetic diversity among 40 soybean genotypes including 3 checks viz., JS 20-34, NRC 138 and JS 20-98 in randomized block design for 14 traits. The genotypes were grouped into eight distinct clusters performing Tocher’s method using Mahalanobis D2 distance. The maximum intra-cluster distance was observed in Cluster IV (62.11), followed by Cluster I (61.19) and Cluster V (59.72), while highest inter-cluster distance was recorded between Cluster IV and Cluster VII (444.35), followed by cluster IV and VIII (362.78). Cluster VIII exhibited highest mean value for plant height, 100-seed weight, biological yield per plant and seed yield per plant. Cluster V had highest mean value for days to 50% flowering and days to maturity. Therefore, selecting these traits and implementing crosses between the identified clusters may enhance genetic diversity, offering valuable potential for the development of superior soybean varieties