Abstract

                                Genetic divergence (D 2 ) was studied in 64 genotypes of sunflower during the season Rabi 2009, to quantify the nature and extent of diversity by the Mahalanobis D 2 statistics. Analysis of variance revealed significant difference among the genotypes for all the 13 characters. Sixty two genotypes and two checks viz., DRSF 108, DRSF 113 were grouped into nine clusters. The pattern of distribution of genotypes into various clusters was at random indicating that geographical and genetic diversity were not related. The distinctness of clusters was proven by distance matrix as inter cluster distances than almost cluster distances, genotypes EC 601679, EC 601613, EC 601662, EC 601702, EC 601609, EC 601610, EC 601619 and EC 601654 could be utilized in breeding programme. Based on mean performance the genotypes viz., EC 601618, EC 601619, EC 601621, EC 601664, and EC601702 for seed yield, the genotypes viz., EC 601613, EC 601612, EC 601622, EC 601699 and EC601702 for oil content were identified as superior. Genotypes viz., EC 601618, EC 601621, EC 601629, EC 601630 and EC 601702 for total number of filled seeds, genotypes viz., EC 601613, EC 601614, EC 601618, EC601621 and EC601702 for head diameter, genotypes viz., EC 601610, EC 601617, EC 601619, EC 601621 and EC 601664 for 100 seed weight were identified as suprerior. These genotypes can be utilized in the breeding programme for improving the respective character, to develop superior varieties/hybrids in sunflower.

Key words : Genetic divergence, sunflower, inter cluster distance.