Background: Characterization and genetic diversity is the prerequisite for proper utilization of existing germplasm. Thus, a detailed agro-morphological characterization and genetic diversity need to be evaluated for selection of the superior genotypes which are exploited in lentil breeding program.

Methods: A total 60 lentil genotypes were used under Alpha Lattice design with two replications at the Pulses Research Centre, BARI, Ishurdi, Pabna during 2019-20. Sixteen qualitative traits and fourteen quantitative data were analyzed in this study. Simultaneously, correlation study was done among the studied genotypes based on fourteen quantitative data.

Results: Based on the frequency distribution of the 16 qualitative traits, flower color, testa color, and cotyledon color were identified as the most variable traits among the studied genotypes. The 60 genotypes were grouped into six clusters and the distribution of the genotypes varied from 5 to 15 with the same origin in more than one cluster. Based on the diversity study, the genotypes BLX 09015, Precoz, LR-9-25, LRIL-21-112-1-1-1-1-6, BLX-05002-3, BLX-05002-6, BLX 10001-1, Maitree, BARI Masur-8, and BARI Masur-7 were selected as superior genotypes for future breeding program by the lentil breeders. These selected genotypes belong to Cluster I and Cluster III which showed high genetic diversity based on the maximum inter-cluster distance. The correlation study indicated that filled grains plant-1, hundred seed weight, straw yield plant-1 and harvest index had the significant and positive correlation with the yield; these traits were found to be the major yield contributing traits for the selection of lentil genotypes in a breeding program.