Development of reference set for Fusarium wilt resistance using principal component scores in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan Millsp L.) germplasm

A total of one hundred early duration germplasm accessions of pigeonpea were analyzed to understand the genetic behavior and form a reference set by measuring twentyfive yield related traits and Fusarium wilt resistance parameters. Significant mean sum of squares obtained for all the studied traits indicated the existence of variation among the genotypes. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified 7 principal components which explained 77.6% of the total variation. Using the principal Component Score strategy (PCS), a reference set of 17 germplasm accessions which represent 17 per cent of the entire germplasm was identified. The genotypes viz., ICP 4019, T 1424, ICP 970, ICP 3620, ICP 1836, T 1411 and ICP 2502 possessed both resistance to Fusarium wilt and good yield. These genotypes can be screened further over locations for confirmation of resistance and can be utilized as donors for resistance to Fusarium wilt during breeding programmes.