Multivariate Analysis of Phenotypic Diversity of Rice germplasm in North-West India.

Abstract

Genetic diversity based on a statistical principle involving observation and analysis of more than one statistical variable at a time, to assess the variability of 2142 accessions of rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm from India was evaluated for 10 agro-morphological traits at CSSRI Experimental Farm in kharif 2010-11 using augmented experimental design. The unweighted pair group method of the average linkage (UPGMA) cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to analyze the data obtained, that enabled the assessment of the extent and pattern of variation of the germplasm and identification of the major traits contributing to the diversity. In all, a total of 8 clusters were obtained based on estimates of genetic diversity for 10 agro-botanical traits using the UPGMA. The first three principal components explained about 40.12 percent of the total variation among the 10 characters. The results of PCA suggested that traits such as plant height, days to flowering and maturity, number of effective tillers and grain size (weight, length and width) were the principal discriminatory characteristics. It was concluded that genetic variation exists in the germplasm used, which provides further opportunities for this collection to be useful for genetic improvement in rice.