Assessment of genetic diversity through principal component analysis inn potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) inder tarai region of Uttarakhand

Principal component analysis was undertaken to estimate variability in 32 potato genotypes. Fourteen principal components accounted for 99.97 per cent variation. The genotypes were grouped into 5 non over-lapping clusters. The maximum intra cluster distance was found in cluster II (3.565) and minimum in cluster III and I (2.531). In general, the clustering pattern was not corresponding to their pedigree. The maximum inter cluster distance of 5.063 was found between clusters I and II, whereas minimum distance 4.213 was found between clusters III and IV. Cluster number III had maximum number of genotypes (08) followed by cluster number V (07), I and IV (5)and II (3). The genotype having maximum inter cluster distance showed maximum diversity, and thus they can be used in hybridization programme.