Abstract

Fifty three genotypes of napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum. (K) Schum) germplasm assembled from different countries were evaluated for their genetic diversity through Mahalanobis D analysis and isozyme pattern studies for esterase and polyphenol oxidase. The D' analysis grouped the genotypes in six clusters which did not indicate any relationship between genetic divergence and geographic distribution. Cluster 11 had a maximum number of 35 genotypes and four clusters had only one genotype each. The inter cluster distance was the maximum between cluster V and VI. The isozyme analysis grouped the genotypes into two major groups A and B and group A consisted of two sub groups Al and A2. It was observed that the isozyme approach is a more reliable method for studying the genetic diversity between different genotypes.

Keywords: Napier grass, Genetic diversity, Isozyme analysis