Genetic Divergence in an Elite Germplasm Collection of Wheat (Triticum Spp.)

One hundred seventy three wheat genotypes of Indian and exotic origin were studied for genetic divergence. Out of 14 quantitative traits studied, six traits viz. biological yield/plant. grain yield/plant, number of tillers/plant, grain weight/spike, flag leaf area and harvest index exhibited high variability. Moderate level of variability was exhibited by three traits viz., spike length excluding awns, number of grains/spike and 100 grain weight. Relatively low variability was observed for flag leaf sheath length, spike length including awns, peduncle length, plant height and number of spikelets/spike. Non hierarchical Euclidean cluster analysis grouped the 173 genotypes into 15 non-overlapping clusters, the cluster IV being the largest with 27 genotypes while cluster XIII consisted of only one genotype. No relationship between geographical and genetical diversity was revealed. On the basis of mean performances of the genotypes within the clusters, 12 genetically divergent genotypes were selected, that can be involved in hybridization programme for the improvement of yield.