Per se performance and diversity analysis in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) genotypes for plant and rhizome yield characters

Abstract

Evaluation of turmeric genotypes is useful to study genetic variation among them and to identify high yielding genotypes. Analysis of genetic divergence in turmeric genotypes is much essential for grouping them based on the observed biometrical and yield traits and to choose the traits responsible for contribution to diversity. Turmeric genotypes were evaluated during 2020 -2021 and 2021 – 2022 and they exhibited wide variation among the observed quantitative traits. Among the turmeric genotypes, CL 95 recorded the highest fresh rhizome yield per plant of 381.8 g followed by CL 258 (341.2 g). CL 95, CL 258, Salem local and CL 197 exhibited better performance for yield and yield contributing traits. Totally six clusters were formed by using Mahalanobis D2 statistics method and genotypes listed in cluster VI were more diverse. Fresh rhizome yield per plant contributed more (41. 99 %) for genetic diversity. The genotypes selected in the present study could used to improve the rhizome yield of turmeric.

Keywords

• per se performance
• diversity
• cluster distance
• per cent contribution and quantitative traits