CHARACTERIZATION AND GENETIC DIVERSITY ANALYSIS OF STEM AMARANTH (Amaranthus viridus L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted with 40 stem amaranth genotypes at the experimental farm of Sher-e-Eiangla Agricultural University. Dhaka to study the characterization and genetic diversity analysis of stem amaranth (Amaranthztv viridus L.) during April 2008 to June 2008. Significant variation was observed among all the genotypes for all the characters studied. Considering genetic parameters high genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was observed for seed weight per plant followed by mean length of basal lateral branches, mean length of top lateral branches, whereas Leaf width showed low CCV. High lieriLbility with low genetic advance in pci-cent of mean was observed for days to flowering which indicated that non-additive gene effects were involved I'(),- the expression of this character and selection for such trait may not be rewarding. I-Ugh heritability with moderate genetic advance in percent of mean was observed for days to germination indicated that this trait was under additive gene control and selection for genetic improvement for this trait would be effective. By using different niultivariate techniques all the genotypes were grouped into five clusters. Principal Component Analysis, Principal Coordinate Analysis, Cluster Analysis, Canonical Variate Analysis gave similar results. Cluster IV had maximum (16) and Cluster TI had minimum (3) number of genotypes. The highest intracluster distance was found in cluster Ill and the lowest in cluster II among five clusters. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between Cluster II and Ill and the lowest between cluster I and 11. The charactersdays to germination, plant height, seed weight per plant and yield per plant contributed maximum towards divergence. Considering diversity pattern and other agronomic performances, the genotypes 09 and 025 froni cluster I; G4, G22 and 037 from 111; 010, 012, Gb, G17 and 034 from IV and (124 and 030 from cluster V might be selected as suitabic parents for future uses in hybridization program.