Genetic divergence analysis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes under irrigated condition

The nature and magnitude of genetic divergence were estimated in 40 rice genotypes using Mahalanobis D²-statistics by considering 10 quantitative characters. Analysis of variance revealed the presence of considerable variability among the genotypes. The genotypes were grouped into 6 clusters. Cluster I consisted maximum genotypes (18 genotypes) followed by cluster V (13 genotypes) and cluster VI (3 genotypes). The clustering did not followed any particular pattern with respect to the origin of the genotypes. The highest inter cluster divergence was recorded between Clusters VI and IV (45.80), and hence, there fore the genotypes from these clusters may be used in hybridization program. The highest inter cluster divergence was recorded between Clusters VI and & Cluster-IV (45.80), whereas maximum contribution towards genetic divergence was recorded for yield per plant.