Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur - 176 062, India
Genetic divergence using D2 statistic of 135 population of maize (Zea mays L.) from different agroclimatic situations of Himachal Pradesh revealed existence of considerable diversity. The populations were grouped into 15 clusters. The cluster II was the largest containing 24 populations followed by cluster IV and I with 22 and 20 entries, respectively. The grouping of populations in clusters did not show any relationship between genetic divergence and geographic diversity. Diverse populations identified by multivariate analysis may be useful in maize breeding programmes.
