Genetic divergence in exotic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes cultivated in southern India

Abstract

Sixty tomato genotypes of various geographical origin were being assessed to grasp the worth and magnitude of genetic divergence applying Mahalanobis D2 studies. A broad genetic range was noticed among the genotypes and was grouped into 9 clusters. The clustering pattern indicated that geographical diversity and genetic diversity are not related to each other. The maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between clusters IV and VIII (D2 = 3363.063) followed by clusters IV and VI (D2 = 3293.227), clusters I and IV (D2 = 2300.552), clusters IV and VII (D2 = 2300.461) and clusters IV and V (D2 = 2106.041). Cluster I revealed the least inter-cluster distance (D2= 714.097) with the cluster III. the Hence, the selection based on the divergent parent is dependent on these cluster length, that is usually recommended for having superior hybrids or segregants in tomato.