Abstract

The nature and magnitude of genetic divergence was assessed using non-hierarchical Euclidean cluster analysis in 305 genotypes (including checks) of bread wheat for grain yield and its associated characters. All the genotypes grouped in 7 different clusters .The clustering pattern of genotype belonging to the same country revealed their distribution in more than one cluster showing non-parallelism between geographic and genetic diversity. Members of cluster III and VII are highly diverse from each other. Cluster VII had higher mean values for grain yield per plant and tillers per plant. A number of genotypes were also identified which may serve as potent genetic donors for some metric characters.

Keywords: Wheat, morpho-physiological traits, clusters analysis, genetic divergence, alkali soil