Abstract

                                Genetic divergence study of 42 genotypes of rice for 20 agronomic, physiological and quality traits led to their grouping into 12 clusters. Grouping of the genotypes from different eco-geographical regions into one cluster and from the same location into different clusters indicated non-parallelism between geographical distribution and genetic diversity. Highest contribution to the genetic diversity was through 100 grain weight followed by volume expansion ratio, kernel length, days to 50% flowering and plant height. The clusters XI and XII were highly divergent. The other clusters with moderate divergence and having single genotypes were VI, VII, VIII, and IX. Based on the inter-cluster distance, mean performance and clustering pattern, hybridization between Tellahamsa, Shiva, WGL-NDL2, Erramallelu, Lunisree, RDR763 and IR20 is likely to give recombinants having high yield potential and high grain quality.

Key words : Rice, Genetic divergence, Quality.