In order to evaluate 90 lentil genotypes regarding their genetic variations for two phenological traits i.e. 50% flowering and 90% maturity dates; and two agronomic traits viz. seed yield and 100-seed weight, a study was performed for six years. Simple and combined analyses of variance, phenotypic and genotypic correlations as well as step-wise regression analyses were performed. The combined analysis showed a significant difference (P< 0.001) for year, genotype, year x genotype interactions for all the traits. Coefficient of variations observed for lentil seed yield and 100-seed weight were 25.8% and 11.5%, respectively. The phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients between seed yield and 90% maturity were 0.49 and 0.72, respectively, which indicated a strong and positive relationship between these traits. The regression equation revealed a linear (Y=1394.2 + 9.1 X) relation between lentil seed yield and 90% maturity, thus the latter trait produced the greatest part of variation (R2 = 30%) in seed yield. The hierarchichal cluster at 10-unit distance showed two distinct groups of 9 and 81 genotypes, whereas at 5-unit distance, five groups including 31, 27, 23, 6 and 3 genotypes were recognized. The factorial analysis indicated that 63.5% of variation resulted from main yield components. On the basis of this analysis the 90% maturity as compared to other traits had the largest significant direct effect on seed yield, showing phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients of 0.431** and 1.211** with seed yield, respectively. From the results of this investigation, a wide range of variation among the 90 lentil genotypes was observed in term of seed yield and 100-seed weight among the earliest maturing genotypes. Hence, these criteria are useful for defining phenotypic and genotypic variations in lentil genotypes.
)