Determining Genetic Diversity of Deshi Jute (Corchorus capsularis) for the Improvement of Fibre Yield and Associated Traits

Abstract

Commercially important natural fibres considered as fiber of the future are cultivated in different south-east Asian countries including India and Bangladesh. Unfortunately, they are characterized by limited genetic variation in terms of yield, quality and susceptibility to diseases and pests. Therefore, genetic deviation studies are crucial to develop a successful cultivation program to develop varieties to meet the growing demand for domestic and foreign jute products. In our study, which was conducted at the Central Jute Research Experiment Station of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), during Kharif seasons of 2014. 44 Thirteen progenies (1546, 1548, 4311, 4328, 4330, 4337, 4339, 5007, 6702/A, 6702/B, 6772, 6787, 6790) and two check varieties CVL-1 and CVE-3 (developed from Bangladesh Jute Research Institute) were investigated to study the genetic variability, genetic diversity and degree of association of different component characters related to fiber yield. The seeds of experimental plant materials were grown in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Statistical analysis was run to find out the genotypic and phenotypic variances, correlations and cluster analysis for fibre yield related traits namely plant height (m), base diameter (cm), stick weight (g), fiber weight (g). Highly significant differences were observed among the genotypes for all the characters. Cluster analysis divided the accessions and varieties into four cluster. From our evaluation it was revealed that the treatment number 4337/06, 4339/06 and 6702/A performed better in most of the cases than the control varieties CVL-1 and CVE-3. These accessions may be used as parents for future variety development program.