Genetic divergence in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

In the present study, all the twenty four genotypes were grouped into six clusters using Mahalanobis’ D2 analysis. Cluster I had nineteen genotypes, while clusters II-VI each had a single genotype. Distribution pattern of all the genotypes into various clusters showed the presence of considerable genetic divergence among the genotypes for most of the traits studied. Maximum and minimum generalised distances were observed between clusters II and IV and between I and V respectively. Days to 50% heading, plant height, spikelets per ear, biological yield per plant and thousand grain weight contributed maximum to the total genetic divergence. The genotypes in clusters nand IV and those in II and V can be used as parents in hybridisation programmes to develop high yielding wheat varieties.