Analysis of genetic variability and the pattern of genetic divergence among soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] genotypes

Forty soybean genotypes were evaluated following randomized block design with three replications at the ICR experimental farm of AAU, Jorhat, Assam in order to achieve genetic variability and diversity patterns. Eleven quantitative traits showed considerable variability and high GCV and PCV for seed yield per plant and 100-seed weight. High heritability and high genetic advance associated with days to 50% flowering, number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight, harvest index and seed yield per plant were observed depicting the usefulness for selection. D² statistics of Mahalanobis was used for clustering the genotypes in to four clusters. The greatest distance between clusters (2572.391) was found between Clusters II and IV, both the most divergent in the analysis. 100-seed weight, seed yield per plant and protein content made the maximum contribution to genetic divergence. Principal component analysis showed that PC1 and PC2 explained 74.931% of total variability, in which PC1 contributed to 59.858%, mainly contributed by yield-related traits, as well as serving as important information for future breeding practices.