Genetic Divergence in Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch ex. Poir) Muralidhara M S*, Narasegowda N C, Narayanaswamy P Department of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences (GKVK), Bengaluru -560 065, Karnataka *E-mail: murali7831@gmail.com
Online published on 8 April, 2015. Abstract Using Mahalonobis D2 statistic and Tocher method, 20 genotypes were grouped into 7 divergent clusters based on 17 growth, yield and quality parameters. Yield per plant, carotene content and TSS contributed largely for total divergence, revealing ample scope for improvement of these traits. The maximum intra cluster distance observed between Cluster I and II followed by II and V, V and VI. Maximum number of genotypes were congregated in cluster III followed by cluster VII. Cluster II recorded highest mean values for number of leaves, number branches, days to first male and female flowering, sex ratio, days to 50 percent female flowering, days to first harvest, number of fruits per plant and TSS. Cluster V recorded highest mean values for weight of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruit, weight of seeds per fruit, rind thickness, carotene content and yield per plant. Cluster I recorded least mean values for days to first male and female flowering, days to 50 percent female flowering, weight of fruits per plant, TSS and yield per plant. The highest inter cluster distance between cluster I and cluster VII emphasized the possibilities of getting high heterotic F1 hybrids as well as transgressive segregants in advanced generations for different traits, when hybridization is carried out involving genotypes between these two divergent clusters. Clustering pattern was not associated with geographical region of genotypes. Hence, Geographical separation may not be referred as index of genetic diversity. Top Keywords Cucurbita moschata, Inter clusters divergence, Percent contribution, Divergence. Top |