M. Ramesh Pigeonpea, genetic diversity, crossing, yield, adaptability 93-98 10(2) 2026 April 2026 The study was conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Palem, to assess the variability, genetic divergence, and characterization of pigeonpea germplasm. A total of 20 pigeonpea germplasm accessions were evaluated in a randomized block design (RBD) with two replications during Kharif 2016. Based on per se performance, the genotypes GMU-9 and GMU-4 recorded the highest seed yield per hectare with medium maturity duration and were grouped into two distinct clusters, indicating substantial genetic divergence. Cluster analysis grouped the twenty genotypes into two major clusters, with Cluster I comprising nine genotypes (GMU-2, GMU-5, GMU-13, GMU-18, GMU-9, GMU-6, GMU-10, GMU-19, and GMU-14) and Cluster II comprising eleven genotypes (GMU-15, GMU-11, GMU-20, GMU-12, GMU-17, GMU-3, GMU-8, GMU-1, GMU-16, GMU-4, and GMU-7). The distribution of the high-yielding genotypes, GMU-9 and GMU-4, into separate clusters highlights the presence of considerable genetic diversity among the evaluated germplasm. The genotypes belonging to Clusters I and II can therefore be regarded as genetically divergent and constitute valuable parental resources for breeding programmes.