Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
Pradeep Kumar Yadav, RS Sikarwar, Madhurjit Singh Rathore and Sushma Tiwari

Abstract:
A field experiment was carried out with 29 diverse advanced breeding lines of bread wheat along with five checks for genetic variability, character association and divergence analysis in randomized Block Design, divided into three replication. Each block had 29 plots of test entries along with 5 checks (viz., M.P.4010, GW322, PBW873, GW366 and RVW 4106). The trial was conducted The experimental research work will be carried at KVK farm, College of Agriculture RVSKVV, Gwalior during Rabi 2021-2022.The observations were recorded on eleven quantitative traits viz., days to 50% heading, days to 50% flowering, Grain filling period, days to maturity, number of tiller, Plant height, Penducle length, flag leaves area, spike length, spike weight, No. of grain/spike, 1000 seed weight, Harvest index, biological yield/plant and grain yield/plant. Results revealed that 29 advanced breeding lines and 5 check varieties of wheat were grouped into nine distinct clusters by using non-hierarchical Tocher method cluster analysis. It indicated the existence of high degree of genetic diversity present in the varieties/lines. Therefore, these varieties/lines may serve as valuable source for selection of diverse parents. Maximum intra-cluster distance was found for cluster-IV followed by cluster-I. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster III and IV, pursued by cluster VII and VIII, cluster VI and VIII, cluster II and III, cluster II and VII, cluster IV and VII. The lowest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster III vs. V. Hence, crosses should be made between these widely related genotypes located in intra and inter cluster distances, to get desirable extant of heterotic potential in order to increase the production and productivity of wheat in Madhya Pradesh.