Genetic divergence studies in aggregatum onion (Allium cepa L. var. aggregatum Don.) genotypes using Mahalanobis D2 analysis

Abstract

Twenty genotypes of aggregatum onion were evaluated for eighteen growth, yield and quality characters to estimate the genetic diversity among them by Mahalanobis D2 statistics. The genotypes were grouped into seven clusters. Cluster V contained maximum number of genotypes (six genotypes) followed by cluster IV (four genotypes), cluster III (Three genotypes), cluster VI, II and I (Two genotypes).Cluster VII was monogenotypic. The clusters IV and VII had highest inter cluster distance. The maximum mean values for plant height, leaf length and yield per plot was observed by the genotypes of clusters II. The maximum number of leaves and number of tillers was recorded by the genotypes of the cluster V. Maximum leaf girth and maximum bulb length was observed by the genotypes of cluster VII. The genotypes of cluster I has shown maximum bulb diameter. The genotypes of cluster IV and VI recorded maximum number of bulbs. Maximum chlorophyll content and yield per plant was recorded by the genotypes of the cluster IV. Therefore it was concluded that these clusters and their genotypes could be intercrossed in order to achieve more variability.