MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF GENETIC DIVERSITY IN LENTIL (LENS CULINARIS) GERMPLASM

Genetic diversity with enhanced expressions of yield contributing traits in self-pollinated crop Lentil (Lens culinaris) is of prime importance to be utilized for efficient breeding. Diverse germplasm comprising of 197 genotypes was examined at National Agriculture Research Center (NARC) in October 2014 and harvested during April 2015. Maximum yield (9.65g/plant), Harvest index (57), plant height (68.58cm), hundred seed weight (2.43 G), number of pods per plant (253) was observed in genotype with ID 160, 189, 170, 161 and 129 respectively. Highest correlation (r = 0.885) was observed between yield and biomass. While biomass was found significantly correlated (r = 0.798) with number of pods per plant and number of pods were in meaningful correlation with plant height (r = 0.256) and number of branches (r = 0.427) while number of branches are in significant negative correlation (r = -0.343) days to maturity. Along with biomass, harvest index and number of pods per plant also proved to be yield contributing traits with r = 0.54 and r = 0.755 respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) exposed the parameters preferably causing the variation. Among eight parameters, number of pods (26 %), biomass (28 %) and yield (29 %) significantly contributed to variation in one dimension Fl and on the other hand plant height (35 %), days to maturity (42%) and number of branches (15%) contributed to the total variation along the dimension F2. K-mean clustering based on Wilks lambda classify the germplasm in 5 groups among these, 3rd and 5th groups were with higher diversity. Structure equation modeling was performed by using the software package LISREL 9.1 and the strength of yield contributing traits toward yield was figured out. Association analysis of qualitative and quantitative traits revealed useful results. The present study will be proved useful for the precise selection for effective breeding because diverse genotypes with valuable traits have been sorted out.