Genetic divergence for grain yield and its components in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

An investigation about the genetic diversity among 68 wheat genotypes using yield and yield attributing traits was studied at the Agriculture Research Farm, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (Punjab). Based on Mahalanobis D² statistic, the 68 genotypes were grouped in to five clusters. Maximum intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster III (150.64). The highest inter-cluster distance which was observed between clusters II and III (488.73). For yield improvement, hybridization between genotypes in cluster II characterised by highest mean value for 1000 grains weight and cluster III containing genotypes exhibiting highest mean value for harvest index would be promising. High mean grain yield was observed in cluster X (37.62). Protein content (50.13) and days to 50% heading (31.43) contributed maximum towards total divergence.