Evaluation of Different Traits to Find Out Genetic Divergence of Some Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes

The goal of the study was to quantify the genetic divergence among the different genotypes of rice. The experiment was conducted under the agro-climatic zone of Western ghat region. The experimental trial was carried out for thirteen characters of 40 rice genotypes during kharif 2021 at Agricultural Research Station, Vadgaon Maval, Pune. Total 11 clusters were formed out of which Cluster I contained 12 genotypes and cluster II, III, IV, X contained 6,9,3 and 4 genotypes respectively. While cluster V, VI, VII, VIII, IX and XI were monogenotypic. The maximum inter-cluster distance observed within cluster VII and XI (24.29) followed by cluster III and XI (24.03), cluster X and XI (23.69), cluster IV and VII (23.39), cluster I and IX (22.21). Hybridization between genetically distant cluster ensure the greater genetic variability in the progeny thereby increases the chance of obtaining superior hybrid. Greater the genetic diversity is directily linked to the extend of heterosis and also reduce the chance of inbreeding depression. The variance of cluster mean showed that, the trait test weight followed by flag leaf length, days to 50% flowering, flag leaf breadth, panicle length, fertile spikelets per panicle, days to maturity were the main characters for contributing divergence in current study. In present analysis productive tillers per plant, spikelet fertility %, infertile spikelets per panicle, grain yield per plant, plant height and total spikelets per panicle had comparatively much low contribution in divergence. Based on the divergence classes the genotypes viz., Karjat 5, VDN 1930, Karjat 5-4, VDN 1902, Phule Samruddhi, RTN 4, Ratnagiri 24, TKR 34, VDN 1832 and KJT TCR 39 may be used as potential donor for future hybridisation program to develop high yielders. Although the intercluster distance between cluster V (test weight-highest value) and cluster IX (flag leaf length- highest value) is 13.61 was not the maximum, it still represents sufficient genetic diversity to warrant hybridization. The high contribution percentages of test weight (25.13%) and flag leaf length (23.59%) highlight the importance of these traits in crop improvement. Hybridization between these clusters could lead to varieties with superior traits, including higher yield, better grain quality and improved stress adaptability. These traits are complementary and together ensure the efficiency of resource utilization (photosynthesis and grain filling), making them priorities in a breeding program.