Genetic divergence studies in finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) genotypes

Abstract

Thirty genotypes of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) were grouped into twelve distinct classes based on their genetic diversity using D2 statistics. Six genotypes were grouped in cluster I followed by four genotypes in cluster XI and two genotypes each in the remaining clusters. The maximum intra cluster distance was recorded in cluster I (274.31) and minimum in cluster II (5.28). The maximum inter cluster distance was noticed between cluster VII and XI (1567.25) and minimum between cluster II and IX (15.83). Based on the inter cluster distance, cluster II, VII and XI are genetically more divergent and suggested to make crosses between the genotypes of these clusters to get transgressive segregants. The maximum percentage of contribution towards genetic divergence was displayed by grain yield q/ha (41.15) followed by number of productive tillers per plant (29.65) and main ear length (9.88). High mean values for number of productive tillers per plant and grain yield q/ha were seen in cluster VIII, where as low mean values for days to 50% flowering and days to maturity were noticed in cluster XI. Hence utilization of outstanding genotypes from these clusters will be useful for developing high yielding varieties.