An experiment was undertaken by utilizing forty finger millet genotypes for eleven yield and yield contributing characters to assess genetic divergence. The analysis of variance has shown that there was significant variation among the genotypes in all the traits. The multivariate analysis carried out using Mahalanobis D2-statistics, indicated wider genetic diversity in the genotypes of finger millet. Out of six cluster formed, cluster I was largest with twenty three genotypes, followed by cluster II with eight genotypes, cluster V with four genotypes, cluster VI with three and III, IV were mono-genotypic. The clustering pattern indicated absence of relationship between genetic diversity and geographical origin of the genotypes. The maximum inter cluster distance was observed between cluster II and VI (D2 = ) while, lowest divergence was noticed between cluster I and IV (D2 =). Maximum intra cluster distance observed within cluster VI (D2 =) while lowest intra cluster distance was observed within cluster II (D2 =). The variance for cluster means were high for grain iron content (),followed by grain yield per plant (), main ear head length (), 100 ml volume weight () and was low for number of fingers per earhead, grain calcium content, number of tillers per plant, number of productive tillers per plant. Based on inter-cluster distances, cluster mean and per se performance, and divergence class the genotypes viz., DHFM-36, DHFM-13, DHFM-18, DHFM-3, DHFM-12 were distinct and diverse and can be classified as promising genotypes. These five genotypes can be used for inter-crossing to obtain heterosis and also wider variability in moth bean. Hybridization between the genotypes of cluster VI with the genotypes of cluster III may result in exploiting more heterosis with maximum genetic divergence and are likely to produce desirable transgressive segregants in segregating generations for further crop improvement. | Genetic divergence in finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.)
