Estimation of genetic diversity by using principal component analysis in genetic resources of foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.)

Abstract

Hundred foxtail millet genetic resources including four checks were evaluated for understanding the genetic divergence for 18 metric traits through Principal Component Analysis. The ANOVA revealed existence of highly significant variation for all the traits examined. In the present study 67.371 per cent of total variation accrued through Principal component analysis exhibited seven Principal components. The first, second and third roots accounted for 17.239, 10.406 and 10.030 per cent respectively to total variability. The remaining canonical roots viz., fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh contributed 9.264, 8.269, 6.557 and 5.606 per cent respectively towards the total variability. These seven canonical roots were retained based on the Scree plot and threshold eigen value greater than one (>1). The PCA analysis thus, identified that the maximum contributing traits towards the existing variability as plant height, 1000 grain weight, panicle length, days to maturity, grain yield/ plant, days to 50% flowering and zinc suggesting that these traits may be given top priority in future foxtail millet breeding programmes.