Genetic divergence studies for yield and yield attributing characters in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A field experiment with 30 maize inbred lines was conducted to study the genetic divergence in maize genotypes at Horticulture Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (U.P.) during Kharif-2018. Significant differences were observed among genotypes for all characters studied. These genotypes were grouped into 7 clusters which are indicating the existence of an ample amount of genetic diversity in the germplasm and therefore signifying the scope of selection for genetic improvement in maize. Cluster II had maximum ten genotypes followed by cluster I (seven genotypes), cluster V (four genotypes), cluster VI (three genotypes), cluster IV (three genotypes), VII (two genotypes) and cluster III (one genotype), respectively. The maximum inter-cluster distance (194.76) was recorded between cluster III and cluster V; while the minimum inter-cluster distance (38.49) was recorded between cluster IV and cluster V.