Assessment of genetic diversity among rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes for growth and yield characters

Abstract

The present study was with aim to know genetic diversity among the rice genotypes for agronomical and yield traits. The present study comprising 60 germplasm (indigenous and exotic) of rice The results indicated that the sixty germplasm both indigenous and exotic were grouped into eight clusters based on the relative of 𝐷2 values following Tocher’s method of cluster formation. In Y1 Cluster III is the largest cluster consisting of 21 genotypes while Cluster V & VI was the smallest with only a single genotype. In Y2 Cluster II is the largest cluster consisting of 23 genotypes while Cluster III was the smallest with only a 10 genotype. And in Pooled Cluster II is the largest cluster consisting of 23 genotypes while Cluster IV was the smallest with only a 8 genotype. The maximum intra cluster distance (D = 510.68) was found in cluster VII and VIII consisting of 6 and 2 genotype inY1. The maximum intra cluster distance (D = 222.07) was found in cluster V and VIII consisting of 1 and 2 genotype in Y2.The maximum intra cluster distance (D = 120.55) was found in cluster VI and VIII consisting of 1 and 1 genotype in Pooled. In the present study, maximum inter cluster distance was estimated between cluster VII and VIII (√𝐷2 = 510.68) which was followed by clusters VII and VIII (√𝐷2 =1941). Based on the rank totals, the characters which contributed maximum towards genetic divergence in the present studies were by number of seedling dry weight (g) (54.58) followed by root length (cm) (18.59), and shoot length (cm) (8.59) in Y1. Reported in Y2 seedling dry weight (g) (60.00) followed by root length (cm) (24.01), and shoot length (cm) (9.04). maximum contributed genetic divergence in the present field studies in Y1 were by 100 –seed weight (52.43g) followed by plant height (24.18), grain / panicle (9.38), biological yield (7.80g), days to 50% flowering (2.77%), harvest index (2.15), panicle length (0.68 cm), tillers/plant (0.51), panicle bearing/ plant (0.11). Hence these traits could be focused for selection while improving seed yield and seed quality. On the basis of their greater inter cluster distance, high value of cluster mean and performance of the individual germplasms for the character, the germplasm could be used in improving seed yield and seed quality programme for improvement of different plant characters of the rice.