Genetic diversity analysis in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)

Abstract

Genetic divergence assessed in ninety genotypes of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.]
using D2 statistics for fifteen characters enabled grouping of all the genotypes into nine clusters. Number of
primary branches/ plant, number of secondary branches/ plant, siliqua angle, siliquae on main shoot, primary
branch angle, 1000- seed weight, and main shoot length were the major contributors for genetic diversity
among the genotypes. Out of 9 clusters, cluster I was the largest comprising 20 genotypes followed by cluster
II consisting of 18 genotypes, cluster III with 15 genotypes, whereas, clusters IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX
contained 10, 8, 7, 7, 3 and 2 genotypes, respectively. The cluster V exhibited maximum intra- cluster distance
(5.69), while maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster VIII and IX (9.76).