Genetic diversity analysis of Pearl Millet germplasm by cluster analysis

Abstract

There are 40 genotypes of pearl millet that were gathered from ICRISAT in Hyderabad for the study. The experiment was performed in triplicate using Randomized Block Design. With an average D2 value of 398.08, the experimental material was divided into seven clusters, indicating the presence of diversity across the lines for the attributes being studied. Among different clusters the maximum cluster lines i.e., ten lines were observed in cluster V followed by cluster IV, cluster III, cluster I, cluster II, cluster VII, and cluster VI. Cluster V has the greatest intra cluster distance, followed by Cluster II, Cluster IV, and Cluster I. As a result, within these clusters, selection might be based on the greatest mean for desirable characteristics. The relative divergence shows the degree to which each cluster differs. The highest order of divergence was observed in cluster VIII and cluster X, followed by cluster V and cluster VIII. The results revealed that the parents are genetically heterogeneous in these clusters. The high heterotic response may have been achieved when used in a hybridization programme. Cluster VI and Cluster VII had the shortest inter-cluster distance, indicating low genetic diversity. Plant height had the highest cluster value in cluster VIII and the lowest in cluster X, whereas phenological parameters like days to flowering and days to maturity had the highest cluster value in cluster II. Days to flowering were the most important factor in genetic divergence, followed by the number of panicle length, fodder yield per plot, and productive tillers per plant.