Genetic Divergence Studies for Fibre Yield and It’s Contributing Traits in Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

Genetic Divergence Studies for Fibre Yield and It’s Contributing Traits in Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

Genetic divergence in thirty genotypes of roselle was assessed utilizing Mahalanobis D2 statistic and grouped into six Clusters based on D2 values. Cluster I was the largest comprising of 11 genotypes followed by Cluster IV comprised of ten genotypes, Cluster III & V accommodated three genotypes each whereas Cluster II comprised two genotypes and Cluster VI included solitary genotype. Maximum inter Cluster distance was observed between Cluster II and III, followed by Cluster III and IV and Cluster V and VI, while minimum inter Cluster distance was observed between Cluster I and Cluster II. Days to 50 % flowering was contributed maximum to genetic diversity followed by fibre yield, fibre wood ratio, plant height, fibre length, basal diameter, bark thickness, internodal length, green weight and number of nodes per plant..