Abstract
Genetic diversity is worthwhile for durum wheat breeding and consequently results in production of more efficient varieties under different conditions. Cluster analysis based on Euclidean distances was carried out with 21 durum wheat genotypes to assess the genetic diversity for agronomic and quality traits. The Unweighted Pair Group Average using Arithmetic Mean as linkage rule was used for the analysis of the distances between clusters. The genotypes were evaluated for 23 agronomic and quality traits and expressed ample genetic variability. The cluster analysis clutches 21 durum wheat genotypes into 3 main distinct clusters which imply the presence of substantial genetic diversity among the tested genotypes. The highest and lowest genetic distance was observed between local cultivar Var21 and advanced breeding line Var8 (12.5) and advanced breeding lines Var14 and Var15 (0.33) genotypes, respectively. From cluster mean values, genotypes in cluster 3 revealed wider genetic variations for both intra and inter cluster genetic dissimilarities and can be utilized for direct use as parents in hybridization programs to develop high yielding durum wheat varieties. Genotypes in cluster 3 have also showed genetic variation for quality traits and may be used for enhancement of protein and gluten contents and other desirable traits other than grain yield. It was also renowned that disparity of genotypes into different clusters was because of the small contribution and cumulative effect of a number of traits. The facts obtained from this finding can be exhaustively used to design crosses and boost the use of genetic diversity and manifestation of heterosis. Key words: Agronomic traits, cluster analysis, durum wheat, genetic distances, quality traits.
Highlights
Wheat mutually both the tetraploid (Triticum durum L.) and hexaploid (Triticum aestivum L.) are the high ranking cereal crops in Ethiopia, even though bread wheat is predominant
The plant material comprised of 13 advanced durum wheat breeding lines from CIMMYT Ethiopia, 4 released varieties from Sinana Agricultural Research Centre, 3 released varieties from Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Centre and one local variety (Table 1) were evaluated at Hera Liphitu on-farm research site of Yabello Pastoral and Dryland Agriculture Research Centre (YPDARC) during 2014 main cropping season
In order to make the best utilization of genetic potential of genotypes for improvement of traits and for adaptation to various stress conditions, genetic study is very crucial
Summary
Wheat mutually both the tetraploid (Triticum durum L.) and hexaploid (Triticum aestivum L.) are the high ranking cereal crops in Ethiopia, even though bread wheat is predominant. Analysis of genetic diversity assembly by family in durum wheat is an important constituent of its improvement programs as it assists to provide information about genetic diversity and is a benchmark for stratified classification of breeding populations (Mohammadi and Prasanna, 2003). Genetic diversity of durum wheat corroborates its potential for improved efficiency and its use for breeding, which sooner or later may result in enhanced food production. Euclidean or strait line measure of distance is the most commonly used for estimating genetic distance and tree clustering method between individual genotypes or populations by morphological data. In this investigation, improved, advanced breeding lines as well as local genotypes were used. The objectives of the experiment is to assess genetic relationship through their ancestors between Ethiopian durum wheat genotypes by using cluster analysis and characterize the genetic diversity of Ethiopian durum wheat genotypes using morphological traits and provide an insight to genetic diversity
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