Genetic Diversity Studies of Popular Rice Varieties based on Grain Quality Characters

One hundred rice genotypes released for different ecologies such as upland, irrigated, lowland, and saline in different states of India were evaluated for 12 quality characters like Hulling (%), Milling (%), Head rice recovery(%), Kernel length(cm), Kernel breadth(cm), Length breadth ratio, Volume expansion ratio, Elongation ratio and Amylose content(%) etc to study the magnitude of genetic diversity among the genotypes and major traits contributing to variation. Based on Mahalanobis D2 value, 100 genotypes are grouped in to 12 clusters. The single genotype having independent cluster are WITA-8, WGL32183, Konark, Purnendu, VLD-61, PusaSugandh-3 and Improved Lalat. Maximum 55 genotypes are in cluster 1. Maximum inter cluster divergence was observed between cluster 3 and 11(667.36) followed by cluster 8 and 11(615.50), cluster 7and 11(604.87). Lowest inter cluster distance was observed between cluster 2and 3(10.68).Intra cluster distance (D) ranged from 48.77(cluster 5) to 100.4(cluster 8). These are more diverse and can be used in hybridisation programme for development of effective hybrids. The inter cluster distance is higher than intra cluster distance indicating wide genetic diversity among the genotypes.