Genetic divergence analysis of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.)

The D 2 analysis allowed the 49 garden cress accessions to be classified into seven distinct clusters. Cluster 1 included 16 accessions that mature and flower early. Cluster 2 contained 11 accessions, which had the higher mean values for both numbers of primary and secondary branches, harvest index and seed yield/plant. They also showed higher number of seeds per plant and per plot than the overall mean value. Cluster 3 had 15 accessions which had a relatively high biomass yield per plot. Cluster 4 included only one accession having longer height at flowering, high seed yield per plant and harvest index. Similarly, cluster 5 also had one accession which was characterized by late flowering, but very short in height at flowering. Cluster 6 also included a single accession, which is characterized by early flowering and maturity. The last cluster, cluster 7 had 3 accessions which had high seed yield per plant, harvest index and essential oils. The maximum inter-cluster distance (D 2 = 10.11) was observed between clusters 5 and 6 whereas the lowest value (D 2 = 3.07) was between cluster 2 and 4. Biomass yield per plot and number of seeds per plant contributed the maximum towards divergence in the existing germplasm.