Abstract

Genetic divergence analysis in bhendi revealed the presence of wide genetic diversity among the 33 genotypes studied, resulting in the formation of 11 group constellations. The contribution by crude fiber content, yield/plant and seed number towards genetic divergence was high, suggesting the significance of considering these traits in exercising selection for improvement of bhendi. Higher inter-cluster distance between clusters I and VI indicated the possibility of getting transgressive segregants in advanced generations by intermating genotypes belonging to these clusters. The genotype 3 and IC-69257of cluster VIII which had also recorded high mean for yield/plant (463.49 and 419.70 g, respectively) and 1773 of cluster VII with high mean for intermodal length (4.60 cm) and seed number (46.16) could be identified as parents for crop improvement. Among the 20 traits studied, crude fibre content was found to be the maximum contributor for genetic divergence followed by yield/plant and seed number.