Studies on genetic divergence in carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

Mahalanobis D2 analysis was employed to study the genetic diversity of 16 carnation genotypes grown under polyhouse. A wide genetic diversity was observed among 16 genotypes which were grouped into eight clusters in first year (1st Year) and six clusters in second year (lInd Year). The clustering pattern indicated that the geographic diversity need not necessarily be related to the genetic diversity. The pattern of distribution of these entries in various clusters showed considerable amount of genetic divergence among these genotypes for all the vegetative and flowering characters studied in the both years. The inter-cluster distance was found maximum between cluster VI and cluster VIII in first year, while in second year it was maximum between cluster I and cluster 11. The genotypes in these clusters may possibly be utilized for hybridization through suitable breeding system for the successful exploitation of heterosis in carnation.