Selection parameters associated with essential oil yield comprise genetic and chemical diversity and the morphological expression of photosynthetic efficient agronomical traits in Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides Roberty)

Abstract

Using Mahalanobis D2-statistics and eleven of the most economically important features, the nature and extent of genetic divergence in eighty vetiver genotypes were evaluated. The vetiver underwent Mahalanobis D2 analysis, which found a significant level of variety. Nine clusters were formed from the genotypes. Cluster I had the most genotypes (56), followed by cluster II (6), III (5), IV (3), V (3), VI (2), VII (2), VIII (2), and IX (2), with one in cluster IX. Cluster III genotypes had the highest average divergence ( =52.51), followed by cluster IV ( =49.59) and cluster VII ( =45.46). Cluster III and VII (D2=85.52), Cluster IV and Cluster VII (D2=81.04), and Cluster IV and IX (D2=73.11) had the highest inter-cluster distances, implying that the genotypes found in these clusters could be utilized for future breeding programmes. The significant contributors to genetic divergence were α-vetivone, essential oil yield, photosynthetic rate/net CO2 assimilation rate, and transpiration rate, respectively. These varieties, such as Nos. 70, 25, 60, 15, 6, and 3 can be used to create commercial vetiver varieties.