Multivariate Analysis for Selection of High Yielding and Early Genotypes in Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] for North Western Plain Zone of India

Abstract

Background: Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] is the second most important pulse crop in India after chickpea. The crop is cultivated during kharif in the arid and semi-arid regions of India. The present study aims to evaluate the genetic variability of the population in small scale trial (SST) through multivariate, principal component and cluster analysis so as to identify superior high yielding early maturing genotypes that fit in cropping systems suitable for the North Western Plain Zone of India. Methods: The plant material comprised of thirty advanced pigeonpea genotypes along with three checks evaluated in small scale trial (SST) during in randomized complete block design with three replications. Result: High GCV and PCV along with high heritability and GA as percent of mean was recorded for the characters PPP and SYPP indicating the preponderance of additive gene action for the expression of these traits. Seed yield per plot (SYPP) was found to be positively correlated with DF (0.30) and HSW (0.37). Path coefficient analysis revealed that PPP, DF and HSW had significant positive and direct effect on seed yield per plot. Principal Component Analysis further substantiated the variability of the population wherein three components explained 65.8% of variation. Cluster analysis classified the 33 genotypes into eight different clusters thereby highlighting sufficient divergence in the population. Cluster VI and VIII showed the highest distance, which is suggestive of prospective utilization of heterosis from their crosses. Two genotypes AH 20-10 and AH 20-23 were identified as the most genetically distant and hence could be forwarded in future breeding programme.