Genetic Divergence Studies for the Quantitative Traits of Paddy under Coastal Saline Ecosystem

Abstract

Twenty six genotypes of paddy were evaluated for the quantitative traits under coastal saline ecosystem to study the diversity pattern and were grouped into 6 clusters. Maximum of 7 genotypes were grouped in cluster 6 followed by 5 genotypes in cluster 5. Maximum inter cluster distance was observed between cluster 2 and cluster 6 while highest intra cluster distance was observed in cluster 1 followed by cluster 6. The percentage contribution towards divergence is highest for the trait potassium content of the stem followed by sodium content of the stem, test weight and calcium content of the stem. Highest plant height, more number of productive tillers and high shoot calcium content and lowest shoot sodium content of the stem of the genotype MCM 225 in cluster 3 and high potassium content represented by genotype viz., NLR 20017 in cluster 6 indicate the importance of the genotypes for the parental selection in hybridization program for development of high yielding genotypes coupled with salinity tolerance considering the importance of the traits low sodium content and high potassium content of the stem for breeding saline tolerant genotypes with high yield.