Genetic divergence in turmeric genotypes

Abstract

Twenty-two turmeric (Curcuma longa L) genotypes along with four checks were evaluated at Department of Vegetable science. Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth Akola. (Maharashtra) by using to D2 statistic to estimate the genetic diversity present in the selected turmeric genotypes. Tested genotypes were grouped into different clusters based on Mahalanobi’s D2 statistic, into 6 clusters. On comparing the genotypes for various characters, clusters V and VI have recorded the highest distance, it means those genotypes present in these clusters have highest genetic diversity among turmeric genotypes, which consists of PWTM 01 and PDKV Waigaon turmeric genotypes. Based on cluster-mean values, the cultivars PWTM 04 in cluster II (Number of tertiary rhizomes and Weight of tertiary rhizomes), AKTS 20 in cluster III (highest plant height, curcumin %), PWTM 14 in cluster IV (Number of mother rhizomes, Weight of mother rhizomes, leaf blotch resistant and curcumin %), PWTM 01 in cluster V (Number of shoots per plant, Number of primary rhizomes per plant, Weight of primary rhizomes per plant and Number of secondary rhizomes per plant), PDKV Waigaon in cluster VI (Primary rhizome width, Primary rhizome length, short duration variety, Curcumin%) were identified as potential parents for future breeding programmes.