Genetic divergence in salicornia (Salicornia brachiata Roxb.).

摘要

The degree and nature of genetic divergence for 7 traits were studied in 17 S. brachiata genotypes grown in Hathab, Gujarat, India, during the kharif of 2001-02. Observations were recorded on plant height, canopy, number of primary branches, number of segments, length of spike, number of spikes per branch, and seed yield. The mean over 3 replications was used for the statistical analysis. The analysis of genetic divergence was carried out using Mahalanobis' D2 statistics. Toucher's method was used for the clustering of genotypes. The genotypes were grouped into 5 clusters, indicating wide diversity for the majority of the characters. Cluster III had the highest number of genotypes (8), followed by clusters I (4), II (3), IV (1) and V (1). The clustering pattern suggested the absence of a significant association between the geographical distribution of the genotypes and genetic divergence. Cluster II showed the greatest intracluster distance; thus, the genotypes under this cluster were the most suitable for within-group hybridization and hybrid development. The intercluster distance was greatest between cluster IV and cluster II. Hybridization between parental lines selected from these clusters are likely to produce the most variable progenies. Cluster IV registered high mean values for plant height, plant canopy, number of main branches, number of segments, length of spike, number of spikes per branch, and seed yield. The plant canopy had the greatest effect on genetic divergence. Hybridization between the evaluated genotypes, especially those from clusters IV, I and II, may result in a wide spectrum of variation in segregating progenies..