Division of Floriculture, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, S.K.University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar-191121, India
*Professor and Head, Division of Agronomy, SKUAST-K, Shalimar
Genetic divergence among 62 gladiolus genotypes (Gladiolus hybrida L.) of different eco-geographic origin were assessed using D2=statistics. The estimation of genetic diversity among tested genotypes was highly significantt which got grooped into V-clusters, with cluster-I, comprising maximum genotypes, whereas, the rest of clusters had only one to four genotypes. Maximum intra-cluster distance (D2=23.00) was observed in cluster-II under E2 (environment) followed by cluster-III (02=24.77) under E1 (environment). Similarly maximum inter cluster distance was recorded between the cluster-IV and V (70.50) followed by cluster-I and IV (52.30) respectively. Although maximum cluster means for floral and vegetative traits, were recorded for cluster-IV and V respectively, suggesting a wide range of diversity for most of the economic traits that would enable breeder to identify the genotypes with suitable traits to be used in direct selection and also in improvement programme for broadening the genetic base.
Gladiolus, environment, divergence, variability, cluster
