Genetic Divergence for Morpho-physiological Traits and Yield Components Associated with Drought Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbreds

Forty-one maize inbreds were evaluated for obtaining information regarding genetic divergence through multivariate analysis using Mahalanobis'D² statistic for a set of 20 divergent characters. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits except canopy air temperature difference. The D² analysis revealed that genotypes exhibited considerable diversity and were grouped into nine clusters, where cluster I and V accommodated maximum and equal numbers of entries (11 each). The inter-cluster distance was highest between cluster III and cluster VIII followed by cluster III and VIII, II and VII, The maximum contribution towards genetic divergence was observed by 100 kernel weight followed by dry stover yield, relative water content, proline content and grain yield. Based on Tocher's clustering pattern of the genotypes, eight inbreds were suggested for inclusion into hybridization for obtaining high heterotic crosses.