An experiment was conducted to assess the magnitude of genetic divergence among 33 linseed genotypes including 3 checks using Mahalanobis’ D2 statistics in Randomized Block Design (RBD) at Agriculture Research Station, Ummedganj, Kota during Rabi 2023-24. Observations were recorded for 11 characters and based on D2 statistics, the genotypes were grouped into 8 different clusters using Tocher’s method. The results revealed that cluster I had maximum number of genotypes followed by cluster II and cluster VI while other five clusters were mono-genotypic. The highest intra-cluster distance was recorded for cluster VI, followed by cluster II and cluster I while the lowest intra-cluster distances were observed for remaining 5 clusters. Whereas the maximum inter-cluster distance was recorded between cluster IV and VIII, indicating a higher amount of genetic diversity available in genotypes of this clusters and can be utilized as parents for hybridization programmes.

Genetic divergence, Cluster analysis, Mono-genotypic, Inter and intra cluster distance.

The present investigation revealed that ample of genetic divergence was observed among 33 linseed genotypes. The earliest days to 50 per cent flowering and days to maturity were observed for cluster III. Cluster VI had genotypes with higher cluster means for biological yield, number of seeds per capsule, number of capsules per plant, and seed yield per plant whereas cluster IV had genotype higher cluster means for plant stand, harvest index, and test weight and lowest cluster mean for plant height. While a genotype having the maximum number of primary branches per plant was put into cluster V. Based on above mentioned analysis, it can be concluded that the genotypes should be selected from the divergent clusters for hybridization programme to obtain superior varieties with increasing yield.

Prachi Singh, Sandhya, Manoj Kumar, B.K. Patidar and D.L. Yadav (2024). Study on Genetic Divergence among Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Genotypes. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(6): 01-04.