Genetic diversity studies in Rabi onion (Allium cepa L.)

Forty four onion genotypes were evaluated during Rabi season for nineteen characters. The results revealed considerable variability among the D2 genotypes. Based on values, the genotypes were grouped into eleven clusters. There were twenty four genotypes in cluster I, five genotypes in cluster VII, four genotypes in cluster IX, three genotypes in cluster VIII, two genotypes in cluster VI and the cluster II, III, IV, V, X and XI contained solitary genotype. The maximum inter cluster D2 value of 30.67 was observed between cluster VI and IX, followed by the cluster IX and X. Cluster VII showed maximum intra cluster diversity (D2=1 0.51) followed by cluster IX (D2=10.17). Total soluble solids contributed maximum towards total divergence, followed by leaf area, dry matter, magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, bulb splitting per cent, pyruvic acid and bulb yield.