Genetic diversity studies for yield and its components in finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Geartn.)

Twenty-six finger millet genotypes were evaluated for yield, yield attributing and physiological traits during summer 2020 and grouped into seven clusters using Tocher’s method. Among the clusters, cluster I had sixteen genotypes, cluster III had four genotypes, cluster VI had two genotypes, cluster II, IV, V and VII were solitary each containing single genotype. Maximum intra cluster distance was recorded for cluster VI (46.61), followed by cluster III (43.69) and cluster I (32.17) which indicated that genotypes in cluster VI were relatively more diverse among themselves. Genotypes falling in clusters III and VII exhibited higher inter cluster distances (432.82) followed by cluster V and VI (346.02) and cluster VI and VII (300.33) indicating that genotypes in these clusters are more divergent. Based on cluster means and divergence crossing of the genotypes in cluster III (VR 1081, PR 1034, VR 990 and KOPN 942) with genotypes in cluster IV (GE 4437), cluster V (GPU 67), cluster VI (GPU 48, Vakula) and cluster VII (PR 202) is suggested in order to generate wide spectrum of variability for obtaining superior genotypes which helps in finger millet yield improvement. Maximum contribution towards genetic divergence was exhibited by fodder yield (34.15), followed by leaf temperature (28.00), days to 50% flowering (16.31), SCMR (13.85) and grain yield (3.08) and relative water content (2.77).