Genetic diversity studies in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

The nature and magnitude of genetic divergence were estimated in 30 rice genotypes in six environments using Mahalanobis D2 – statistics by considering 12 quantitative characters. ANOVA revealed the presence of considerable amount of variability among the genotypes. High estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were observed for fertile grains followed by flag leaf area and tillers per hill. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded for plant height. Mahalanobis D2 analysis revealed considerable amount of diversity in the material. The genotypes were grouped into six clusters. Cluster I constituted maximum number of genotypes (19). The genotypes falling in cluster II had the maximum divergence. The inter cluster distance was maximum between cluster II and V (228.14) followed by cluster III and V (214.44), suggesting that the genotypes constituted in these clusters may be used as parents for future hybridization programme. Traits like; plant height, fertile grains, panicle length and plot yield were the major contributors to genetic divergence.