Vol. 12, Issue 8 (2023)

Author(s):
Laxman, Amit Dadheech, Hemlata Sharma and NK Padiwal

Abstract:
Genetic divergence among 42 genotypes of Isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk.) was estimated by Mahalanobis D² statistics during Rabi 2022-23 at the Instructional Research Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur for 15 characters. The mean squares due to genotypes for all the traits were significant except days to 75 percent maturity, indicated the presence of sufficient variability among the genotypes. Genotypes were grouped into XX clusters following Tocher’s method (Rao, 1952). Cluster I had maximum number of genotypes i.e., 14 genotypes, Cluster II with 3 genotypes, Cluster III to IX each with 2 genotypes and Cluster X to XX each with single genotypes. The maximum intra-cluster distance (D²) was found for Cluster IX (0.48) followed by cluster VIII (0.45). The maximum inter-cluster distance (D²) was found in between cluster XIV and cluster XX (1.16) followed by Cluster XVII and Cluster XX (1.13) and cluster X and cluster XIII (1.12). This indicated that the genotypes in these clusters (UI-492, UI-509, UI-481 and UI-490, UI-499, respectively) had a diverse genotype and could be used in a hybridization programme to increase Isabgol yield. The genotypes found in the various clusters can be employed as promising parents in a hybridization program to get a high heterotic response and hence better segregants in Isabgol. The genotypes UI-482, UI-491, UI-497, UI-500, UI-483 and UI-509 were determined to be superior based on this investigation.