Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper


Vol.31 (4), 2025

Page Number: 1664-1668

ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC DIVERSITY IN GROUNDNUT GENOTYPES: IDENTIFYING PROMISING CLUSTERS VIA MAHALANOBIS D2 ANALYSIS

Shrishti Srivastava, Soni Singh, Ganesh Phatate and Shiva Chaturvedi

Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a leguminous, annual crop also known as, king of oilseed crop as it contains 46% oil. Research was conducted on groundnut genotypes.in Kharif season 2024 using randomized block design. Genetic diversity among 32 genotypes was estimated using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. Genotypes were grouped into five clusters by Tocher’s method. The maximum intra-cluster distance was observed for clusters IV (22.41) followed by cluster II (19.98) and cluster I (16.69). The maximum intercluster distance value was observed in between cluster IV and II. Therefore Nithya Haritha, Bheema, Tirupati, RG 559-3, Kadiri Leepakshi, GJG-32 will be efficient for hybridization program. The minimum inter-cluster distance recorded was recorded for cluster II and I which indicates lesser divergence in these genotypes. On the basis of cluster mean value of traits, selection of genotype which falls under cluster V will be better for yield enhancement.