Assessing Genetic Diversity of Newly Developed Winter Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines

Abstract

Understanding the genetic diversity among the breeding materials is fundamental consideration for any crop improvement programme. Ninety seven newly developed winters maize inbred lines along with thirteen released inbreds were evaluated to assess the genetic diversity based on morphological traits. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for 13 characters studied. All the inbred lines were grouped into fifteen clusters with ten solitary clusters. The D 2 statistics displayed that cluster I being largest group, with maximum inbred lines (37) followed by Cluster II (24), Cluster III (16) Cluster IV (14) and Cluster V (9). The maximum intercluster distance was observed between cluster V and cluster XV (26.96) followed by cluster IV and XV (26.12), cluster V and XII (24.55) suggesting higher probability of heterotic combinations if parents selected from these pairs of groups. Cluster IV has the highest intra-cluster distance (11.59). Maximum genetic divergence as per cent was contributed by 100 kernel weight (39.45) followed by days to anthesis (22.64), grain filling duration (10.31) and grain yield (10.50). On the basis of per se performance, intra and inter cluster distance, inbred lines IMLSB-2005, IMLSB-1000-2, IMLSB-182-1, IMLSB-719-1, IMLSB-164-1, IMLSB-457-2, IMLSB-2083, IMLSB-1298-2, IMLSB-1298-5 and IMLSB-246-2 were identified that might be used in maize improvement programme to develop superior hybrid combinations.