D2 analysis in certain promising genotypes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell)

A field experiment was carried out with 104 diverse indigenous elite genotypes of bread wheat along with four checks for genetic variability, character association and divergence analysis in Augmented Block Design, divided into 5 blocks of equal size. Each block had 24 plots of test entries along with 4 checks (viz., LOK-1, WH-147, HD-2009 and DBW-17). The trial was conducted at Main Experiment Station Research Farm of Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.) during Rabi 2013-14. The observations were recorded on eleven quantitative traits viz., days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, tillers / plant, spike length, flag leaf area, peduncle length, 1000-grain weight, biological yield / plant, harvest index and grain yield / plant. Results revealed that 100 indigenous lines and 4 check varieties of wheat were grouped into eleven distinct clusters by using non-hierarchical Euclidean 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-VI followed by cluster-XI. On the other hand the minimum intra-cluster distance was recorded for cluster-VII followed by cluster-II. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster-IV and cluster-XI followed by cluster-III and cluster-XI. The lowest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster-I and cluster-II followed by cluster-VII and cluster-IX. 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 Northern Eastern Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh.