Study of Genetic Diversity in Maize ( Zea mays L.) Inbreds

Abstract

Genetic diversity among 64 CIMMYT and BARI developed maize inbred lines was conducted at the research farm of Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh during Rabi season 2012-13. The genotypes were grouped into six clusters. Cluster III comprised the maximum genotypes (18) which indicated the genetic similarity among them. The minimum genotype (4) was contained in the cluster V. The highest inter- cluster distance was observed between cluster VI and III (9.37) followed by cluster VI and V(8.22) and cluster V and I (7.75) suggesting wider diversity between them and the genotypes in these cluster could be used as donor parents for new maize hybrid development. The highest intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster V (0.846) and the cluster II was had the least intra cluster distance (0.472). The mean values of cluster VI recorded the highest for thousand seed weight (360.80 gm) and yield per hectare (4.72 ton/ha). It appeared that the early maturing genotypes were included in the cluster V (147.75). The positive absolute values of the two vectors revealed that ear height, ear diameter and yield (t/ha) had the greatest contribution to genetic divergence. The negative values for the two vectors for days to 50% tasseling, ear length and thousand seed weight (TSW) indicated the least responsibility of both the primary and secondary differentiations.