Vegetos

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to assess the genetic diversity among forty garlic (Allium sativum L.) genotypes for morphological and quality parameters. Divergence analysis grouped the tested genotypes into seven clusters with variable number of entries in each cluster indicating the presence of genetic diversity in the genotypes. The member of cluster V and III exhibited maximum divergence as indicated by their inter-cluster distance (192.516) followed by the members of cluster IV and III (123.642), cluster III and I (116.349), cluster VII and II (102.254). The member of cluster I and VI were least divergent as revealed by their inter-cluster distance (46.471), indicating that the genotypes in these clusters have dissimilarity for morphological features and performance. Allicin content was maximum observed in cluster III (1.200%) followed by cluster VI (0.796%), cluster II (0.787%), cluster I (0.701%), cluster VII (0.653%), cluster VI (0.545%) and cluster V (0.300%). Different clusters having desirable traits identified and their respective genotypes may be chosen for intercrossing to obtain the desired trait combinations through high heterotic response and superior recombinants in their progenies.