Genetic diversity analysis in some vegetable cowpea genotypes

The present research work comprising of 21 diverse genotypes of vegetable cowpea was carried out at the Post Graduate Research Farm of Centurion University, Odisha during the kharif season of 2022-23 to find out the extent of genetic divergence through D2 and Principal component analysis (PCA) studies. Collected germplasm were grouped into five non-overlapping clusters. Upon analysis, cluster I had the highest number of genotypes at 11, while cluster II had the second-highest number at 7. Remaining 3 were monogenotypic. Cluster I and V had the largest inter-cluster distance, followed by cluster I and II. Cluster number II exhibited highest mean values for most of the traits under study. So, all the genotypes which were categorized under clusters I, II and V can effectively be utilized for hybridization purpose as there is a chance of getting maximum heterosis in the resultant hybrids. Among the traits, plant height contributed maximum towards the total divergence. From the PCA studies it is observed that first Eigen root had maximum variation. First three principal component axes collectively interpreted 92.83 per cent variation.