Abstract

Sixty diverse genotypes of fodder cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) walp.) evaluated for the genetic diversity were grouped into 10 clusters indicating high genetic divergence among them. The clustering pattern showed that geographic diversity is not an index of genetic diversity. Based on the intercluster distance and cluster mean for various characters, it could be seen. that the clusters I, II, IX and X were the most divergent from the other clusters. The genotypes from these clusters may possibly be utilized for hybridization programme. Dry matter yield, green fodder yield and plant height contributed highly towards the genetic divergence among the types studied.

Keywords: Genetic divergence, Geographic diversity, Fodder cowpea