Study on dispersion of genetic variation among Indian garlic ecotypes using agro morphological traits

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) a clonally propagated bulbous crop, is of high medicinal value owing to its sulphurcontaining compounds. Although asexually propagated, garlic depicts wide genetic diversity in agro-morphological traits and biochemical composition. A study was conducted to dissect the extent of genetic divergence among 625 Indian garlic genotypes considering 21 agro-morphological traits. Pooled analysis exhibited significant variation among accessions for various morphological traits. Ward’s clustering method clustered germplasm collection into three distinct groups. Clustering pattern did not correspond with geographical origin of accessions. Strong and positive correlation of marketable yield with plant weight with leaves (r = 0.83), plant weight without leaves (r = 0.84), average bulb weight (r = 0.50), plant height (r = 0.58), pseudostem length (r = 0.59), number of leaves (r = 0.54) and weight of fifty cloves (r = 0.49) was recorded. These traits will be useful for direct selection in crops like garlic. Principal Component analysis minimised 21 components up to 12 vectors which measured nearly 90% variation. Conservation of such vital and diverse garlic genotype is prerequisite to assure successful selection breeding programme.