Genetic diversity assessment in physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.)

Abstract

Mahalanobis' D-square (D2) statistics was applied to assess diversity in the 9 genotypes collected<br />of semi-arid region of India (7 genotypes from Gujarat and Rajasthan for normal toxic and two from<br />Orissa csmcri's plantation of non toxic nature. These genotypes were grouped into five. Cluster I and<br />III had two genotypes, cluster II had three genotypes and cluster VI and V contributed as solitary<br />germplasms. The genotypes in cluster II had the maximum divergence which was closely followed by<br />cluster III. The maximum and minimum divergence was revealed between clusters I with cluster V<br />and cluster I and cluster V with cluster IV, respectively. In general, cluster III and IV exhibited high<br />and low mean values, respectively for most of the characters. It has been suggested that for varietal<br />improvement, hybridization among the genotypes of divergent clusters should be done in order to<br />obtain better results in terms of variability and diversity.