Genetic divergence in rice varieties having iron and zinc

The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic diversity of fourteen iron and zinc genotypes of rice for yield and quality traits using Mahalanobis D2. The clustering pattern of 11 genotypes was grouped into four non-overlapping clusters. Cluster III having highest number of genotypes, The maximum intra cluster distance was recorded in cluster II (3459.43) indicating greater genetic divergence between the genotypes belonging to this cluster. Spikelets per panicle, days to maturity, grains per panicle, plant height Grain yield per plant, days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of filled grains per panicle, contributed 88.45% towards total divergence. Cluster-II has highest mean value for Spikelets/panicle and Grains/panicle. The maximum inter cluster distance recorded between cluster II and IV (14289.25) followed by I and IV (9461.13), cluster III and IV (6053.272), cluster II and cluster III (4033.25) indicating wide genetic diversity and it may be used in rice hybridization programme for improving grain yield.