Studies on Genetic Diversity in Groundnut(Arachis hypogaea L.) Germplasm

Abstract

Genetics divergence using D2 analysis of 40 genotypes of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) of different geographic origins revealed existence of considerable diversity for eleven quantitative and qualitative characters. The significant treatment mean square indicated adequate variability among the genotype for all characters. The genotypes were grouped into 7 clusters. The clusters VI was the largest containing 12 genotypes each followed by cluster V consisted 7 genotypes, cluster I and cluster VII consisted 6 genotypes, cluster III consisted 4 genotypes, cluster II consisted 3 genotypes and cluster IV consisted 2 genotypes. The diversity among the genotypes measured by intra-cluster & inter cluster distance was adequate for improvement of Groundnut by hybridization and selection. The genotype included in the diverse clusters can be used as promising parents for hybridization programme for obtaining high heterotic response and thus better sergeants in Groundnut.