Genetic Divergence Analysis for Quantitative Traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm under Irrigated Conditions

Abstract

The present study was with the aim of knowing genetic divergence analysis for quantitative traits among the rice genotypes for agronomical and yield traits. The experimental material consists of 36 rice genotypes sown in a Randomized Block Design with three replications and observations recorded on randomly selected five plants for 13 quantitative traits. The results indicated that the genotype Nagarjuna shows greater yield among the genotypes. The genetic parameters show high GCV and PCV in grain yield per plant, and according to D2 analysis, the 36 genotypes were grouped into 6 clusters based on Tocher's method of cluster formation. Cluster I is the largest cluster, consisting of 29 genotypes, while Cluster II has 3 genotypes. Cluster III, IV, V, and VI were the smallest, with only a single genotype. The maximum intra-cluster distance was found in cluster II (39.19), followed by cluster I (30.15), and the maximum inter-cluster distance was shown in between cluster VI and cluster II (178.97), followed by cluster VI and cluster V (151.75). Based on cluster means, Cluster III (39.67) shows greater among 6 clusters for grain yield per plant as contributing the highest among all the quantitative characters. Hence, these traits could be focused on for selection while improving seed yield and seed quality. On the basis of their greater inter-cluster distance, high value of cluster means, and performance of the individual germplasms for the character, the germplasm could be used in improving seed yield and seed quality programs for improvement of different plant characters of the rice.