Genetic Divergence Analysis for Yield and Quality Traits of Local Germplasm of Rice of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out with the forty five genotypes of rice including one check, to study the nature and magnitude of genetic divergence using D² statistics. Nineteen yield and quality traits were recorded on the genotypes in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The forty five genotypes were grouped into five clusters based on Tocher method of cluster analysis with cluster I containing the maximum of 34 genotypes. Maximum intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster I indicating greater genetic divergence between the genotypes belonging to this cluster. Gel consistency and amylose content contributed 78.79 per cent of total divergence. Maximum inter-cluster distance was recorded between clusters IV and V followed by clusters I and V indicating wide genetic diversity and it may be used in rice hybridization programme for improving the yield.