Genetic divergence in selected indigenous aromatic rice of Odisha

The demand for aromatic rice has increased over the past two decades. In the present study 65 indigenous aromatic rice genotypes collected from different parts of Odisha were evaluated for divergence analysis. The genotypes were grouped into thirteen clusters. A wide variation was observed in cluster means for all the characters studied. Based on clustering pattern, the maximum genetic distance among genotypes existed between cluster IV, V and XI. The clusters V and X were ascertained outstanding on the basis of higher cluster means for most of the component characters. The most divergent clusters have been isolated as V containing Acharmati, Kanikabhog and Bashuabhog and Cluster X having Nalidhan.