Genetic divergence in maize inbreeds for yield and components traits under intermediate zone of Jammu & Kashmir

摘要

Fifty four maize inbreeds were evaluated for generating information on genetic divergence through multivariate analysis using Mahalanobis 'D2' statistics for a set of 13 characters. The D2 analysis revealed that considerable diversity is present among genotypes and were grouped into four clusters. Cluster I accommodated maximum of 27 genotypes followed by cluster II with 14, cluster IV with 7 and in with 6 genotypes. The highest inter cluster distance was found between I and IV and least between n and III. The maximum contribution towards genetic divergence was observed by 100 kernel weight followed by grain yield and number of kernels per rows. Based on clustering pattern of the genotypes 14 inbreeds are found to be suitable for inclusion into hybridization for obtaining high heterotic crosses.