Agricultural Science Digest

Genetic divergence through D² statistics in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, maize inbreds {Zea mays (L.)} revealed the existence of considerable diversity. The accessions were grouped in seven clusters. The cluster III was the largest with 20 inbreds followed by cluster III and IV with seven and five inbreds respectively. The grouping of inbreds showed the occurrence of genetic divergence in them. The highest inter clusters distance (D² = 162.12) was noticed between cluster IV (UMI 37, UMI 35, UMI 426, UMI189, UMI21) and cluster VI (UMI 410, UMI 430). Intercrossing among the genotypes belonging to cluster V, VI and VII was suggested to develop high yielding inbreds with desirable characters.