<div style="text-align:justify">The present experiments were carried out at Department of Horticulture, Dr. PDKV, Akola and Regional Research Centre, Amravati during the years 2013-14 and 2014-15. Fifty five genotypes of cluster bean were assessed for genetic divergence&nbsp;using Mahalanobis D2 technique. Among the characters studied in all four environmental conditions, gum content in seed&nbsp;(63.50%), plant spread (17.17%), number of primary branches per plant (4.65%), days to first flower (3.77%), hundred&nbsp;seed weight (2.09%), days to 50 % flowering(1.95%), seed to husk ratio (1.68%) and ten dry pod weight (1.35%) contributed&nbsp;95 percent to the total divergence. Genotypes were grouped into 8 clusters using Tocher&rsquo;s method. Cluster V was the&nbsp;largest group, involving 17 genotypes followed by twelve genotypes were grouped in cluster IV, eleven genotypes in&nbsp;cluster III and six genotype each in cluster I and II. The remaining solitary clusters (VI, VII and VIII) contained only one&nbsp;genotype each. The genotypes from the solitary clusters showed high divergence and useful in breeding. The intra-cluster&nbsp;distance ranged from 0 to 9.15. Cluster V possessed the highest intra-cluster distance (D2=9.15), followed by cluster IV&nbsp;(D2=6.34), cluster III (D2=4.71), cluster II (D2=3.31), and cluster I (D2=2.65). The clusters comprised of only one genotype&nbsp;had zero intra-cluster distance (cluster VI to VIII). The average inter-cluster distance reveled&nbsp; the maximum divergence(D&sup2;)&nbsp;between cluster V and VIII (D&sup2;=37.26) followed by cluster III and V (D&sup2;=29.92), cluster VI and VIII (D&sup2;=25.51). On the&nbsp;basis of inter cluster distance and performance observed in the present study a breeding programme involving genotypes&nbsp;for a specific character has been selected using cluster mean.</div>

Genetic divergence studies in cluster bean genotypes

The present study was undertaken to perform the multivariate analysis in green gram using twenty-one green gram genotypes. The extent of genetic divergence revealed that these genotypes could be grouped into ten and five clusters, following Tochers and non-hierarchical Euclidian clustering methods, respectively. Based on the maximum diversity obtained in Tochers method genotype KM 10-1064 of cluster V and genotypes KM 10-1046, KM 10-1059 and KM 10-1070 of cluster VI were found suitable for improving the plant structure, whereas concerning high diversity along with high trait contribution towards total divergence, the clusters KM 10-1064 of cluster V and KM 10-1042 of cluster VIII were found to be appropriate for hybridization. The genotype KM 10-1068, which represents the mono genotypic cluster in case of both the clustering methods signifies that it could be the most diverse from other genotypes and it would be the suitable candidate for hybridization with genotypes present in other clusters to tailor the agriculturally important traits and ultimately, to enhance the seed yield in green gram.

Multivariate analysis in green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]&nbsp;

<div>Background: The choice of parents is a very crucial step which decides the success or failure of any plant breeding programme. Using the diversity analysis, parents with high diversity can be chosen to generate high magnitude of useful variability. Therefore, the present investigation was planned to assess the genetic divergence among 100 genotypes of blackgram for identification of diverse genotypes for their utilization in breeding programme. 
 
Methods: The material for study consisted of 100 blackgram genotypes collected from different sources and were evaluated at ARS, Bidar during kharif-2018. The experimental trial was laid out in lattice design (10&times;10) with two replications. Observations on 12 quantitative characters. The genetic divergence was assessed by using Mahalanobis&rsquo; generalized distance (D2) and clustering of genotypes by Tocher&rsquo;s method. 
 
Result: The relative contribution of each character to the total diversity was different and contribution of days to maturity was maximum (66.04%) followed by reproductive period (15.86%). The genotypes were grouped into nine clusters by Tocher&rsquo;s method. The cluster pattern revealed that, cluster II was the largest with 28 genotypes followed by cluster I (26), V (19), III (11), IV (10) and VII (3) and remaining viz., VI, VIII and IX were solitary clusters. The inter-cluster distance ranged from 15.50 to 514.44 indicating high magnitude of diversity. The genotypes belonging to cluster III viz., BDU-20, BDU-3-20, BDU-68, TRCRU-22 possessed desirable traits like earliness and higher seed size and genotypes of cluster IV viz., BDU-9, BDU-10, LBG-752 possessed traits like higher reproductive period, maturity and high seed yield were identified as diverse. These genotypes could be involved in recombination breeding programme for the improvement productivity in blackgram.</div>

<div>Nature and Magnitude of Genetic Divergence among Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] Genotypes</div>

<div>Background: Though modern high yielding and synthetics developed through maize heterosis are replacing low-yielding maize populations worldwide, it has shown little impact in Kashmir due to poor adaptability and expensive seed cost. Nevertheless, retaining popularity due to adaptability, more resistance to natural factors, early maturity, good grain quality, great food and fodder value and ability to thrive best under low input conditions, landraces are going out of farmer&rsquo;s domain and becoming extinct owing to low yielding potential, low resilience to some biotic stresses and lower sensitivity to inputs. For developing high yielding, climate-resilient cultivars and broadening of the genetic base, efficient and rapid identification and introgression of novel and favourable alleles dispersed among the landraces are necessary.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Seventy maize landraces from different parts of Kashmir valley designated as K-L1 to K-L70 were subjected to genetic analysis for thirteen important agronomic traits viz. days to 50% tasselling, days to 50% silking, anthesis-silking interval, plant height, ear height, days to maturity, ear diameter, kernel rows per ear, kernels per row, prolificacy, shelling percentage, yield per hectare and 100-grain weight. The least significance increase was calculated to evaluate best performing landraces and clustering of landraces was done using Mahalanobis D2 analysis through Tocher&rsquo;s method. The experimentation was carried out at Dryland Agriculture Research Station Budgam during the years 2019 and 2020. 
 
Result: Significant differences for all agronomic traits except anthesis-silking interval and prolificacy depicted the presence of significant genetic variability. The least significant increase calculations allowed the evaluation of best-performing landraces for specific traits and&nbsp; Mahalanobis D2 analysis through Tocher&rsquo;s method led to clustering landraces into 14 clusters with cluster I having the highest 23, followed by cluster VI with 14, cluster II and cluster III each with 9, cluster VIII with 6 genotypes and rest 9 clusters being mono-genotypic. Intra and inter-clustering distance and cluster means suggest utilizing genotypes belonging to clusters with wider statistical distances for crossing in hybridization programme to produce segregates with extensive variation resulting in higher heterosis.</div>

Genetic Diversity Analysis in Maize Landraces under Temperate Ecology

<div style="text-align: justify;">Genetic diversity of seventeen chickpea genotypes was studied through Mahalanobis D2, Tocher&rsquo;s Method. The genotypes&nbsp;under study fall into five clusters. The cluster- IInd contained the highest number of genotypes (08) and Cluster IV and V&nbsp;contained the lowest (01). Cluster- II produced the highest mean value for days to maturity. The inter-cluster distances&nbsp;were much higher than the intra-cluster distances. Cluster-V exhibited the highest intra-cluster distance while the lowest&nbsp;distance was observed in cluster-IV and V. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster-III and V while&nbsp;the lowest was between cluster-I and IV. Considering all the characters, it is suggested that the genotypes 81-0-800, C-306,&nbsp;96907, C-235 and SCS-3 could be used as parents for future breeding programmes to develop high yielding varieties of&nbsp;chickpea. As per AMMI model, two genotypes i.e. C-81 and 96911 were identified as having wider adaptability along with higher seed yield per plant.&nbsp;</div>

Genetic divergence and stability (AMMI) study in chickpea (Cicer aeritinum L.)&nbsp;under north western Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Background: Linseed is used as an oilseed and fiber crop and is extremely rich in high Omga-3 fatty acid content. The main aim of breeders in crop improvement programs is to develop high-yielding crop varieties. For this, we need to select diverse high-yielding genotypes to produce the heterotic cross combinations. This experiment aims to evaluate the genetic diversity among linseed germplasm for yield-related traits. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: In this experiment, a total of 75 diverse linseed genotypes (Indigenous and three exotic) along with ten checks were investigated during Rabi-2019-20 in randomized block design using three replications at Oilseeds Research Farm, Kalyanpur, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh). Observations were recorded on ten yield-related traits. Clustering of genotypes by using the D2&nbsp;cluster of Tocher&lsquo;s method and Principal component analysis. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Cluster analysis deciphered 75 genotypes into 16 distinct groups, with the highest number of individuals observed in cluster II. The greater average was recorded within clusters IV (14.34), II (13.20), XI (12.78) and I (6.31) order, whereas clusters between I and XI recorded the high between cluster distance. The results indicated that a total of 57.58% of variation was contributed by the first three principal components (PCA).

Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Germplasm Through D2 Cluster Analysis and PCA

<div>Background: A complex quantitative characteristic, yield is heavily impacted by the environment. The productivity of groundnuts can be increased less effectively through direct selection for grain yield. The study aimed to determine the genetic diversity. 
 
Methods: The Mahalanobis D2 statistic was used to quantify the genetic diversity among 24 genotypes of groundnut for seven quantitative and six qualitative criteria.&nbsp; 
 
Result: There is sufficient diversity among genotypes, as evidenced by the fact that all of the features in the ANOVA showed significance. High GCV and PCV values were seen for the traits primary-branches/plant (PB), secondary-branches/plant (SB), pod yield/plant (PY), sucrose content (SC), total free aminoacids (TFA), total soluble solids (TSS) and iron content (IC), demonstrating that these traits were well chosen. High heritability and genetic progress as a percentage of mean were observed for plant height, PB, SB, PY, Hundred-pod weight (100-PW), SC, TFA, TSS and IC, demonstrating additive gene-action is in charge of these traits. Twenty-four genotypes were divided into nine clusters using Tocher&rsquo;s method of clustering, with cluster I being the biggest with sixteen genotypes. Cluster VII and Cluster IX had the greatest inter-cluster distance, which showed that their individuals were more diverse (26.91). In order to obtain transgressive segregants for yield and yield parameters, taking into consideration the cluster distances and cluster means in the current experiment, an emphasis should be focused on establishing crossings between genotypes from clusters VII and VIII that are promising.&nbsp;</div>

D2 Analysis to Evaluate the Genetic Diversity of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Background: The current investigation was carried out in the year 2021-22 at Dryland Agriculture Research Station (DARS), Budgam. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications in field and completely randomized design (CRD) in vitro conditions for evaluating different traits of genotypes. DUS characterization was conducted as per the DUS testing guidelines by Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Act, Authority, Descriptors for rajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) GOI, New Delhi [reproduced from Plant Variety Journal of India. Vol.1 (1), 2007]. 
 
Methods: The observations were recorded on 18 DUS characters including morphological and quality attributes and physiological characters. For all the features studied, the analysis of variance for morpho-physiological and qualitative attributes found significant differences, providing adequate chance to select the genotypes with desired qualities. DUS traits were examined in accordance with the descriptor, &ldquo;state&rdquo; and &ldquo;code&rdquo; provided for each character.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The observed range of variation were recorded for different traits for different genotypes. Cluster analysis for morphological, maturity, yield and quality characteristics arranged the rajmash genotypes into 11 clusters, as per Mahalanobis D2 analysis using Tocher&rsquo;s method with cluster III having the maximum number of genotypes (8), followed by cluster I, II, IV and V with 6 genotypes, 2 genotypes were grouped in cluster VII and XI and the remaining clusters with 1 genotype each. Diversity analysis showed grouping of genotypes in 11 clusters, which will help in selection of genetically divergent parents for exploitation in hybridization programme and would constitute an essential gene pool for future breeding programme.

DUS Characterization of Rajmash (Phaseolus vulgare L.) Genotypes for Morpho-physiological Traits under Rainfed Conditions

Background: The genetic divergence in faba bean genotypes is critical for breeding programs aiming to improve yield and other agronomic traits. Understanding the extent of genetic variability among different genotypes can guide the selection of superior varieties and enhance crop improvement efforts. This study was conducted to evaluate the genetic diversity among 47 faba bean genotypes grown under the specific agro-climatic conditions of Chhattisgarh. 
 
Methods: The experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2022-23 at the Hi-Tech-Nursery, Dau Kalyan Singh College of Agriculture and Research Station, Bhatapara, under Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Chhattisgarh. A total of 47 faba bean genotypes were evaluated for genetic divergence using Mahalanobis D2 statistics and Tocher&rsquo;s method. Ten quantitative characters, including marketable pod yield per plant and marketable pod weight appearance, were measured and analyzed. The genotypes were grouped into clusters based on their genetic distances. 
 
Result: The clustering pattern indicated that genetic diversity was independent of geographical diversity. Cluster II contained the highest number of genotypes (19), followed by Cluster I (13), while Cluster IV had the least (1). Among the ten quantitative characters studied, marketable pod yield per plant contributed most to genetic divergence, followed by marketable pod weight appearance. The maximum intra-cluster D2 value was observed in Cluster IV (477.35), followed by Cluster III (250.07). The highest inter-cluster D2 value was between Cluster I and Cluster IV (7917.34), followed by Cluster IV and Cluster V (6156.43).

Studies on Genetic Divergence in Faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

<div>Background: Dolichos bean is an important leguminous vegetable having a wide range of variation in different quantitative characters. Assessing genetic diversity among dolichos bean accessions can ensure development of suitable high-yielding and adapted varieties with suitable maturity period.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Fifteen genotypes were evaluated for different characters in Dolichos bean at two locations of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University viz. Vegetable Research Farm, Pusa and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Birauli, Samastipur, Bihar during the year 2018-19 and pooled data was analyzed. The genotypes were evaluated for genetic variability and genetic divergence for 14 characters. For the assessment of genetic diversity among the fifteen genotypes of dolichos bean, Mahalanobis (D2) statistic (Mahalanobis, 1936) was used, following the procedure given by Rao, 1952. Grouping of genotypes into clusters was done using Tocher&rsquo;s method as described by Rao, 1952. 
 
Result: Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) was slightly higher than Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) for all the characters indicated that the characters were less influenced by environment. The characters having high heritability and high genetic advance include harvesting duration, number of pods per plant, pod length, pod diameter, individual pod weight, weight of seeds per pod, 100 fresh green seed weight, pod yield and percent incidence of yellow mosaic virus. Therefore, selection for above characters is highly effective. Genetic diversity analysis evaluated that all genotypes could be placed into 6 clusters. Genotypes grouped in Cluster III and I have highest mean value for all characters as well as highest inter-cluster distance.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

Genetic divergence studies in cluster bean genotypes

Multivariate analysis in green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

Nature and Magnitude of Genetic Divergence among Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] Genotypes

Genetic Diversity Analysis in Maize Landraces under Temperate Ecology

Genetic divergence and stability (AMMI) study in chickpea (Cicer aeritinum L.) under north western Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Germplasm Through D² Cluster Analysis and PCA

D² Analysis to Evaluate the Genetic Diversity of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

DUS Characterization of Rajmash (Phaseolus vulgare L.) Genotypes for Morpho-physiological Traits under Rainfed Conditions

Studies on Genetic Divergence in Faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

Estimation of Genetic Variability and Genetic Divergence in Dolichos Bean [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet.] Genotypes