Evaluation of genetic divergence in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm

Abstract

In the present study, twenty seven genotypes of wheat genotypes were evaluated for assessing genetic divergence for 
14 different characters. The genetic diversity analysis revealed the formation of five clusters suggested the presence 
of wide genetic diversity among the 27 genotypes studied. The clustering pattern indicated that geographic diversity 
was not associated with genetic diversity. The maximum inter-cluster distance (D) was observed between clusters II 
and IV (D=43.62) followed by clusters IV and V (D=35.49) and II and III (D=34.68). The minimum inter-cluster 
distance (D=23.10) was found between clusters III and IV. Grains per spike, plant height, biological yield per plant, 
harvest index, days to heading and test weight contributed maximum towards total genetic divergence. Based on the 
maximum genetic distance, it is advisable to attempt crossing of the genotypes from cluster II with the genotypes of 
cluster IV, which may lead to the generation of broad spectrum of favorable genetic variability for yield 
improvement in bread wheat. Noteworthy is that cluster IV and V reflected high cluster means for days to heading, 
days to 50 % flowering, days to maturity, grains per spike, grain yield per plant, biological yield per plant, grain 
filling period, tiller per plant and plant height these clusters can be successfully utilized in hybridization programmes 
to get desirable transgressive segregants.