1 Gujarat Agricultural University, Navsari-396450 (Gujarat).
2 Gujarat Agricultural University, S.K. Nagar-385506 (Gujarat).
Thiriy six genotypes of potato were evaluated for genetic divergence by using the Mahalanobis D2 statistic. The population distributed into 9 clusters of which cluster I was the largest accommodating 7 genotypes. Cluster I, III, V, VI and VII showed larger genetic divergence. Clusters III found highest in tuber yield and other characters like number of stems, number of leaves, maturity, shoot fresh weight, number of tubers, average tuber weight, sugar content and harvest index while cluster I was higher for dry matter and starch content, cluster IV for dwarf plant height and early maturity and cluster VI for high protein content. The genotypes differed significantly for all the characters, suggesting a good scope of selection. On the basis of index score, the genotypes MS-82-345. Kufri Lalima, PS/M-75, JEX/C-166. Kufri Badshah, Kufri Chandramukhi, MS-82-279, JH-222, Kufri Bahar, Kufri Sindhuri, from cluster No. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX, respectively may be utilised for creating wide spectrum of variability and improving the tuber yield of potato.
