Genetic divergence in seedling trees of Persian walnut ( Juglans regia L.) for various metric nut and kernel characters in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The nature and magnitude of genetic divergence was assessed using non-hierarchical Euclidean cluster analysis in 229 seedling trees of Persian walnut growing naturally in four districts of Himachal Pradesh for 15 nut and kernel characters. Minimum and maximum values of coefficients of variability were recorded for nut width and kernel weight, respectively. All genotypes were grouped into 16 different clusters. The clustering pattern of walnut genotypes belonging to the same location revealed their distribution in more than one cluster showing non-parallelism between geographic and genetic diversity. Genotypes of clusters 5 and 8 were highly diverse from each other. Mean nut weight and kernel weight were highest in clusters 8 and 14, respectively. The highest mean kernel percentage and minimum shell thickness were observed in cluster 13. The highest mean value for fat was recorded in cluster 9 whereas cluster 3 had the maximum value of protein.