Pages: (1-7 )
Abstract
Thirty-four accessions of Pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan, from different geographical origins in Nigeria were evaluated for twenty-four characters. Genetic variability was evaluated by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Coefficient of Variation, Cluster Analysis (Dendogram), Correlation Coefficient and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Genetic difference was recorded for all the characters except number of days from sowing to emergence (DSE) and number of days from sowing to production of secondary leaflets (DSS). This shows genetic variability in the experimental materials with respect to different characters. Total number of pods per plant (NPP) was important for highest estimates of coefficient of variation. Only number of flowers at first flowering (NOF) did not show any positive association with NPP among the characters studied. Of the 34 accessions grouped into different clusters (I- III), only one (CL 14) was found in Cluster I and differed from other accessions in Cluster III, some of which arose from the same geographic area. This indicates wide diversity among genotypes originating from the same geographic region.
Keywords: Genetic variability, cluster analysis, Cajanus cajan, accession, Fabaceae,