Journal of Progressive Agriculture

Open Access
  • Year: 2025
  • Volume: 16
  • Issue: 1

Genetic Divergence Analysis in Genotypes of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L)

  • Author:
  • Renish G Roy1,*, U.S. Shekhawat2, Mukh Ram3
  • Total Page Count: 7
  • DOI:
  • Page Number: 57 to 63

1Research Scholar, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Tantia University, SGNR-335002, Rajasthan, India

2Prof (GPB) & Dean, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Tantia University, SGNR-335002, Rajasthan, India

3Assistant Prof., Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Tantia University, SGNR-335002, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to assess the extent of genetic divergence among thirty wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes using Mahalanobis’ D2 statistics during the Rabi season of 2024–25 at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. The genotypes were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications for twelve yield and yield-related traits. The analysis revealed significant variability, and the genotypes were grouped into three distinct clusters. Cluster I comprised four genotypes with higher harvest index and grain yield, Cluster II included five genotypes characterized by early maturity, higher tillering ability, and more grains per spike, while Cluster III, the largest group with twenty-one genotypes, exhibited the highest biological yield and intra-cluster variability. Inter-cluster analysis indicated maximum divergence between Clusters I and III, suggesting their potential for generating high heterosis and transgressive segregants in hybridization programs. The results highlight the importance of selecting genetically diverse parents from Clusters I and III to broaden the genetic base and enhance yield potential in wheat improvement programs.

Keywords

Divergence, Wheat, Cluster, Dendrogram