Genetic Divergence Study in Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines under North Western Himalayan Conditions

Abstract

Genetic divergence in 50 maize inbreds including fi ve checks was assessed based on some morpho-physiological and yield contributing traits using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. The experiment was carried out in an augmented block design at Maize Research Station, SKUAST-J, Udhampur, J& K during Kharif 2019-20. All the inbreds were grouped into ten clusters based on D2 analysis. Maximum numbers of genotypes (12) were grouped in cluster III whereas cluster X (1) was the smallest. Maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster VIII and cluster IX indicating presence of maximum diversity among the genotypes falling within these clusters. The genotypes in the cluster VIII showed better performances having high shelling percentage (%), grain yield per plot (g), cob length, kernels per row and 1000 kernel weight (g). It is expected that crossing of inbred lines belonging to high-medium D2 values may tend to produce high heterosis for yield. Perusal of the data indicated that moisture percentage contributed maximum of 8.90 per cent whereas, days to 50 % silking contributed the lowest of 0.73 per cent to the total genetic divergence.