Evaluation of Diversity among Soybean Accessions Using Multivariate Analysis Techniques

Abstract

Soybean is a potential crop for expansion, which can fulfill the dietary requirements of Sri Lankan population. At present, with the government policies there is an immediate need for expanding the production to fulfill the local soymeal demand. Continuous development of varieties is one option to increase the productivity. The success of a crop improvement program primarily depends on the extent of variability present in the available germplasm resources. To utilize the valuable genetic resources, plant breeders need to study the diversity of these materials. Fifty one genotypes received from Plant Genetic Resources Center, Gannoruwa, Sri Lanka were evaluated in the research field of Grain Legumes and Oil Crops Research and Development Center, Angunakolapelessa in 2016 Yala Season. Thirty seven accessions Showed determinate growth habit, while 16 genotypes were indeterminate. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that 2 principal components (PCs) having eigen value greater than one has contributed more than 64 % of the total variation among the tested genotypes. Three main clusters were observed according to the cluster analysis at Euclidean distance of 15. Genotypes in cluster group 3 had a high number of pods per plant. Accessions in cluster group 1 and 3 are important to be considered in selecting desirable parental combinations for hybridization programs. Especially accessions in the cluster 3 can be used as male parents to improve the yield performance of recommended varieties.