Nature and magnitude of genetic variability and diversity analysis of Indian turmeric accessions using agro-morphological descriptors

Abstract

Turmeric, a vegetatively propagated crop, may have restricted variability from which to breed new cultivars. Understanding the genetic variability of a species is crucial for the progress of a genetic breeding program and requires characterization and evaluation of accessions. The objectives of this study were to determine extent of variability, relationships between different agro-morphological traits, and diversity among 25 different accessions of turmeric. The present experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad, India during 2008–2009 and 2009–2010. Accessions were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant mean square of accessions for all the traits studied indicates the existence of sufficient genetic variability among the studied accessions. The rhizome yield exhibited highly significant and positive association with plant height, number of leaves plant−1, number of tillers plant−1, weight of rhizomes plant−1, length of primary rhizome, and dry matter recovery. The highest positive direct effect on rhizome yield was exerted by plant height. Multivariate analysis techniques allowed an effective study of genetic divergence and the grouping of the 25 accessions into six clusters. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster II and IV, accessions from these clusters can be used as potential parents for future breeding programs.