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ThesisItem Open Access G×E Interaction and Genetic Diversity Studies for Seed Yield and Attributing Traits in Advance Lines of Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss.(2023-05-01) Sahu, Sabyasachi; Tewari, S. K.The present investigation was carried out in rabi season of 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021- 2022 with objectives to to study G x E interaction and varietal stability by using AMMI model, nature and extent of Genetic Variability and Heritability, Genetic Divergence ,nature and magnitude of association and direct and indirect effects of various seed yield and attributing traits in Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss. at N.E.B.C.R.C. and oilseed lab of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding at G.B.P.U.A. &T., Pantnagar. The experimental material comprised of fourty four advance lines including checks, sown in Randomised Block Design with 3 replications. For this investigation eleven traits namely days to maturity, plant height, length of main raceme, siliquae on main raceme , number of primary branch, number of secondary branch, siliqua length , number of seeds/siliqua,1000 seed weight, oil content and seed yield were observed for five randomly selected competitive plants. The resulting data were subjected to statistical analysis. The result of analysis of variance revealed that difference among mustard lines was highly significant for all the characters. The G x E interaction and varietal stability of mustard lines were estimated by using AMMI model and it was observed that the main effect as well as G x E interaction effect was significant for all the traits under study. AMMI model having two principle components axis (IPCA I and IPCA II) is genotype PRE-2020-1 for seed yield were considered as most stable genotypes in all the environments. Highest GCV and PCV estimates were exhibited by number of secondary branches, number of primary branches, 1000 seed weight, seed yield. High heritability and high genetic advance as percentage of mean reported in the character number of secondary branch, 1000 seed weight. High positive significant correlation for seed yield reported by plant height, length of main raceme, siliquae on main raceme, number of primary branches. Path coefficient analysis showed that the characters length of main raceme, number of primary branch and 1000 seed weight exhibited positive direct effects on seed yield per plot and these traits also recorded positive correlation with yield. The D2 analysis was carried out for eleven characters, which partitioned the fourty four genotypes into twelve highy divergent clusters. On the basis of the study conducted, it was concluded that there was a wide range of variance between the genotypes which was considered as scope for improving the mustard lines through selection. On the basis of the mean performance of the genotypes, the advance lines found to be most promising are PRE-2020-12, PAB-2017-3, PRE-2019-5, PRE-2019-5, PAB-2014-4, PRL-2020-5, PRE-2018-1, PR-2020-16, PRE-2019-5 and PR-2020-9 for seed yield and its attributing traits which can be used for hybridization programme.ThesisItem Open Access Stability analysis in advanced clones of sugarcane Saccharum spp. complex(G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. PIN 263145, 2022-08) Goswami, Riya; Jeena, A. S.The present investigation entitled “Stability analysis in advanced clones of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. complex)” was conducted with 18 advanced clones of Sugarcane including three checks viz., CoS 767, CoPant 97222 and Co 05011 to estimate the genotype×environment interaction and stability parameters using Eberhart and Russell model. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design at three different environments viz., Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (E1), U.P Council of Sugarcane Research, Shahjahanpur (E2) and, PAU Regional Station, Kapurthala (E3). At each environment observations were recorded for fifteen yield and yield contributing traits viz., germination percent, tillers/ha, brix percent at 10 months, purity percent at 10 months, sucrose percent at 10 months, number of millable cane/ha, single cane weight (kg), cane diameter (cm), cane height (m), cane yield (t/ha), CCS yield (t/ha), brix percent at 12 months, sucrose percent at 12 months, purity percent at 12 months and CCS percent at 12 months. Analysis of variance at each environment revealed that genotypes exhibited highly significant differences for all characters under study. Further, the pooled analysis of variance over three environments also exhibited significant differences among genotypes for all the fifteen traits. The estimates of the environmental index showed that E1 was the most favourable environment for nine traits followed by E2 for seven traits and E3 for five traits. Based on the mean performance, CoPant 97222 was registered as the best check for nine traits followed by CoS 767 for six traits. Likewise, among the entries, Co17018 was found superior to best checks for seven traits, followed by CoH 17262 for six traits and CoS 17234 and CoPb 17214 for five traits. The G X E interaction was found significant for all characters except for two traits namely, purity % at 10 months and purity % at 12 months. Based on the estimates of stability parameters as per Eberhart and Russell model, CoPb 17214 was observed as stable genotype for all traits except tillers/ha. Similarly, CoS 17236 and CoH17261 were found stable for fourteen traits except cane yield t/ha. Likewise, among the checks, Co 05011 was found stable for all traits except for cane yield, here this genotype was responsive in favourable environment. Check, CoS 767 was found stable for all traits except for germination percent. Based on the study the clone Co17018 was identified stable for cane yield and sucrose percent at 12 months, along with superiority over all the three checks. Hence, this genotype can be recommended for cultivation over different environments. While, two clones viz., CoS 17234 and Co 05011 were found responsive for cane yield in favourable environment, hence these can be recommended for cultivation under resource rich environment.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic analysis for yield, quality and nutritional traits in basmati rice oryza sativa l.(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2023-01) Reddy, Basu Sudhakar; Baskheti, D.C.The present investigation was carried out with the objective to assess genetic variability, genetic divergence and character association among 37 basmati and aromatic germplasm lines and to stimate combining ability and heterosis with respect to yield, its attribute, quality and nutritional traits. To study the nature of gene action for yield, its attributes and nutritional traits. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among 37 basmati and aromatic lines for all the traits studied. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were high for grain yield per plant, alkali spreading value and number of tillers per plant. High heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance was observed for traits like alkali spreading value, number of tillers per plant, length/breadth ratio, iron content, grain yield per plant and zinc content. Grain yield per plant was found to be positively and highly significant correlated with plant height, panicle length, 1000 grain weight, grain breadth, hulling % and milling %. Path coefficient analysis showed that the plant height, iron content, 1000 grain weight, grain length, and grain breadth contribute highly to grain yield per plant through direct effect. Thirty seven lines were grouped into seven clusters based on the D2 values. Maximum inter-cluster distance was between cluster IV (Ranbir Basmati, Tilak Chandhan, Basmati 564, Basmati 867) and VI (Hansraj, Pant Sugandh Dhan 17, Taraori Basmati) indicating that genotypes from these clusters were highly divergent meriting their consideration in selection of parents for hybridization. Ten lines and three testers were used to develop 45 F1’s crossed in Line × Tester fashion during kharif 2022. These F1’s were subjected to evaluation along with their parents including 1 check (Improved Pusa Basmati 1). Estimates of variance due to GCA and SCA and their ratio showed a predominance of non-additive gene effects in the expression of all the characters studied. Among the lines viz., asmati 386, Pant Sugandh Dhan 27, Taraori Basmati and among the testers Pant Basmati 2 was identified as good general combiner as they showed good general combining ability with most of the characters studied. The F1 Basmati 370 × Pusa 1509 was identified as the best specific combiner for grain yield per plant. The most promising heterotic crosses for grain yield per plant were Basmati 386 × Pusa 1121, Basmati 370 × Pusa 1509 and Basmati 386 × Pusa 1509 over the better parent and could be utilized commercially for exploitation of heterosis. Testing of Zromising hybrids across the location in diverse environment is suggested to establish their real potential. Generation mean analysis revealed that additive, dominance, additive × additive and dominance × dominance interaction effects were present along with duplicate dominant epistasis for grain yield and nutritional traits. Hence, selection may be delayed to later segregating enerations when the dominance and epistasis disappear and resorting to intermating of segregants followed by recurrent selection.ThesisItem Open Access Investigation on QTL mapping for BLSB resistance and protein content using wild relatives and introgression lines of maize(G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, 2022-12) Varalakshmi S.; Singh, N. K.The main objectives of the investigation were to identify the genomic regions for BLSB resistance and other traits, to determine protein content and its association with SSR markers in teosinte-derived lines, maize and its wild relatives. The various experiments were conducted from 2019-20 to 2021-22for generation and field evaluation, and laboratory analysis of experimental materials. The characterization of teosinte derived 181 BC1F2 lines showed significant variation for all morphological traits and BLSB disease incidence. Of the 181 plants, 23, 53, 65 and 40 plants were grouped under resistance, moderately resistance, moderately susceptible and susceptible categories based on PDI score. The plants TM-1, TM-11, TM-12, TM-21, TM-28, TM-29, TM-54, TM-55, TM- 67, TM-77, TM-78, TM-85, TM-88, TM-94, TM-96, TM-101, TM-103, TM-113, TM-144, TM-152, TM-159, TM-161, and TM-167 were categorized under resistance group with PDI score of ≤ 33.33.The BC1F2 plants showed significant variability for days to anthesis, days to silking, anthesis - silking interval, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, flag leaf angle, plant height, node bearing primary cob and number of ears per plant. A total of 41QTLs were identified for BLSB resistance and 8 morphological traits based on single marker analysis. Two QTLs for BLSB resistance were mapped on chromosome 3 and 10 associated with markers umc2255 and bnlg1518 and having phenotypic variation of 3.79 and 2.22 per cent, respectively. Of the remaining 39 QTLs, 3 QTLs were for days to anthesis, 2 for days to silking, 5 for anthesis -silking interval, 4 for flag leaf length, 6 for flag leaf width, 4 for plant height, 6 for node bearing primary ear and 9 QTLs were for number of ears per plant. Using inclusive composite interval mapping method, a total of 12 QTLs were identified for BLSB resistance and 7 morphological traits and no QTL identified for node bearing primary ear trait. The QTLs qtlBLSB4.1 and qtlBLSB9.1 were detected on 4 and 9 chromosomes for BLSB resistance determining phenotypic variation of 2.08 and 4.63 per cent, respectively. The QTLs qtlDTA 8.1, qtlDTS7.1, qtlASI4.1, qtlFLL4.1, qtlFLL 4.2, qtlFLW8.1, qtlFLW10.1, qtlFLW10.2, qtlPH 4.1 and QtlEPP3.1 were mapped for various morphological traits across 3, 4, 7, 8 and 10 chromosomes. Highly significant differences for protein content were observed among 126 BC1F2:3 lines which varied from 9.53 to 16.49 per cent for MP51 and MP6 lines, respectively. Four lines (MP6, MP20, MP36, and MP97) had protein content in the range of 16.07- 16.49 per cent. All the BC1F2:3 lines possessed protein content higher than the maize parent CML-451 but lower than the teosinte. Analysis of protein content in 28 accessions of maize, its wild relatives indicates significant variations. Teosinte accessions possessed 2-3 times higher protein than maize lines, Z. mays subsp. mexicana, occupied top position with (26.29 per cent protein) of the 28 accessions. Five markers umc1294, umc1171, phi091, umc2182 and bnlg292 showed significant association with protein content. The investigation indicates great significance of teosinte for the diversification as well as improvement of maize for resistance to BLSB and kernel protein content. Teosinte may also be prospected for improvement of other traits in maize.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on kernel protein and phytic acid in teosinte derived s1 lines of maize (Zea mays l.)(G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, 2022-09) Adhikari, Shriya; Singh, N. K.The investigation was carried out with the aim to transfer gene(s) responsible for high protein content in teosinte into the genetic background of inbred line LM14 which has low phytate content through repeated backcross breeding at Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre and Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, U.S. Nagar, Uttarakhand. The field experiments were conducted during kharif 2019, rabi 2019-20, kharif 2020, rabi 2020-21 and kharif 2021. The experiment was carried out with two populations that had same parents but followed 2 different crossing programs. It is apparent from the results that among the S1 lines of teosinte derived maize population, that there was an increase in mean protein of ~22% in both populations when compared to the recurring parent. The protein content ranged between 12.43% and 19.68% in 2227 {LM14x (LM14//LM14xPT) #F2} and 12.43 and 18.04% in 2228 (LM14//LM14xPT##F2). Of all the 137 lines of both the populations, three lines namely 2227-93, 2227-95, 2227-97 had protein content of around 19% and two lines 2228-60 and 2228-58 had protein content of around 18%. None of the S1 lines exceeded the protein content present in the donor parent teosinte, and the line which had the lowest protein content was still higher than the protein content LM14 in both populations. Investigation on phytic acid and total phosphorus have unequivocally demonstrated that the S1 lines produced in the genetic backgrounds of LM14 have much lower levels of phytic acid along with lower levels of total phosphorus. In the two populations under study S1 lines, 2227-22 (3.072 mg/g), 2227-69 (3.095 mg/g), 2227- 95 (3.059 mg/g), 2228-6 (2.967 mg/g), 2228-64 (2.955 mg/g) and 2228-50 (2.979 mg/g) were statistically comparable to the recurrent parent, while 2227-11(3.952 mg/g), 2227-16 (3.952 mg/g), 2227-27 (3.988 mg/g), 2227-29 (3.926 mg/g), 2227-86 (3.976 mg/g), 2228-18 (3.875 mg/g), 2228-39 (3.847 mg/g), and 2228-48 (3.835 mg/g) were all observed to be notably lower in levels of PA, compared to the parviglumis-teosinte parent. Lines namely 2227- 46 (0.77%), 2227- 67 (0.78%) 2227- 86 (0.82%), 2228-35 (0.78%), 2228-54 (0.77%) and 2228-65 (0.80%) had the highest level of P, and quite on par with that of the parviglumis-teosinte parent. Additionally the recurrent parent had the lowest P, with 2227-95 and 2228-6 being the closest with 0.41% and 0.40 % P. The most promising lines amongst all the teosinte derived S1 lines were analysed and grouped together using ward’s method of minimum variance, viz., 2227-22, 2227-64, 2227-69, 2227-77, 2227-93, 2227-95, and 2227-97 which had a mean protein content of 18.47 % with PA content of 3.1 mg/g and 3 lines from the second population i.e. 2228 had a mean protein content of 16.6% and a PA content of 2.97 mg/g, which were as follows 2228-6, 2228-50 and 2228-64.ThesisItem Open Access Components of variation, correlation and path analysis for seed yield and its contributing characters in soybean [glycine max (l.) merrill](G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, 2022-09) Sailani, Alokita; Karnwal, M. K.The present investigation was carried out with the objectives to assess the genetic variability, inter- character correlation and the direct and indirect effects on seed yield per plant in advance lines of soybean taken an account of thirteen component characters. The experiment was conducted at Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India, during kharif, 2021. Twenty soybean genotypes including four check varieties (PS 1092, PS 1347, PS 24 and PS 26) grown in a randomized block design with four replications. High significant difference was found among treatment for all the characters under study indicating the presence of sufficient amount of genetic variability among the experimental material. The value of Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher as compared to genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) as well as environmental coefficient of variation (ECV) for all the character studied. The seed yield per plant reported the highest value of Phenotypic coefficient of variation (33.81 %) as well as genotypic coefficient of variation (31.81 %). Biological yield per plant exhibited maximum heritability (91%). High heritability values were also observed for basal node height, basal pod height, seed yield per plant, hundred seed weight, number of primary branches per plant, harvest index, number of pods per plant, plant height and protein content. The genetic advance varied from 0.11 % (harvest index) to 28.66 % (pod per plant). Genetic advance as per cent of mean (5%), exhibited highest value for seed yield per plant (61.34 %). The majority of the characters under study including number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, basal pod height, basal node height, hundred seed weight, biological yield per plant (g), harvest index (%), and seed yield per plant (g) exhibited high values of heritability along with high estimates of genetic advance as per cent mean. Which showed the presence of additive gene action. In general, Genotypic correlations coefficient (rg) reported greater value than phenotypic correlations coefficient (rp). Directions of phenotypic and genotypic correlations coefficient were almost same for all the character combinations. seed yield per plant showed significant positive phenotypic and genotypic correlation with day to 90 % maturity, primary branch per plant, pod per plant, seed per pod, biological yield per plant, hundred seed weight and harvest index. Yield attributes with positive correlation coefficient can be used as selection criteria to improve the yield. Day to 90% maturity, primary branches per plant, pod per plant, biological yield per plant and harvest index exhibits highly significant positive correlation as well as positive direct effect on seed yield per plant. The positive and significant association of these traits with seed yield per plant and positive direct effect of these traits towards the yield revealed that there is true relationship between these characters and the direct selection for these component traits will bring an improvement in the seed yield per plant, the dependent variable. Hence more emphasis should be given to these traits for improvement of seed yield per plant in soybean through selection programme.ThesisItem Open Access Estimation of gene effects for seed yield, its component traits and inheritance study in Brassica rapa var. yellow sarson(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-08) Bisht, Charu; Birendra PrasadRapeseed-mustard is the second most important edible oilseed crop in India. Yellow Sarson (Brassica rapavar. Yellow Sarson) have best oil quality among the three sub- species of B. rapai.e. Yellow Sarson, Brown Sarson and Toria. The present investigation was thus conducted to find out the inheritance pattern and estimates of gene action for some important characters in Brassica rapa var. Yellow Sarson. The four different crosses namely YSH-0401x Pant Sweta, Pant Sweta x Apetalous, PYS-2017-6 x PPS-1 and NDYS107 x B9 were attempted to study inheritance of flower colour, flower petalous condition, siliqua position and ovary locules respectively. The six generation (P1, P2, F1, F2, and BC1, BC2,) of 4 different crosses viz., was grown during the rabi season of year 2021-2022 at NEBCRC, Pantnagar to generate data for inheritance study. The data of different generation were subjected to chi-square analysis to test the goodness of fit for the appropriate genetic ratios in crosses. The results of study revealed that all four characters were under monogenic control. In case of petal colour the yellow petal colour is dominant over the white petal colour, petalous flower condition is dominant over apetalous condition, upright siliqua orientation was domianat over inverted siliqua orientation, multilocular ovary was dominant overbilocular ovary. For estimation of nature and magnitude of gene action for seed related traits an experiment was carried out at laboratory of Breeder Seed production Centre, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. The six generation (P1, P2, F1, F2, and BC1, BC2,) of 4 crosses used in experiment first was grown in CRD design in laboratory to generate data for generation mean analysis. Observations were recorded for characters namely germination percent, seedling length (cm), root length (cm), fresh weight (g), dry weight (g), seed vigour index I and II. The results of scaling tests indicated the presence of epistasis in all four crosses. In general duplicate epistasis was found to be more prominent as compared to complementary epistasis for all the studied traits. The presence of duplicate gene interaction indicated that selection should be delayed for later generations till fixation and accumulation of favourable genes. The six generation (P1, P2, F1, F2, and BC1, BC2,) of 4 different crosses used in experiment I and II was grown during the rabi season of year 2020-2021 to generate data for generation mean analysis for seed yield its components and quality traits.Observations were recorded for different traits viz., days to maturity, number of primary branches per plant, height of raceme (cm), number of siliqua per plant, length of siliqua (cm), number of seeds per siliqua, thousand seed weight (g), seed yield per plant (g), protein content (%), oil content (%), erucic acid (%) and glucosinolet content (μmole/g). The results of scaling tests revealed that epstatis was present in all crosses for all characters. Although both additive and non-additive gene action were present in all studied characters but in general the magnitude of dominance was found to be more as compared to additive gene action which indicated the possibility of exploitation of heterosis in these crosses.ThesisItem Open Access Characterization of thermo sensitive genic male sterile lines to explore the hybrid combinations in rice (Oryza sativa L.)(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-08) Singh, Vriksha; Nautiyal, M. K.The present investigation entitled “Сhаrасterizаtiоn оf Thermо Sensitive Geniс Mаle Sterile Lines tо exрlоre the Hybrid Соmbinаtiоns in Riсe (Оryzаsаtivа L.)” was taken up, to evaluate the twenty-four TGMS lines for different morphological traits and critical sterility/fertility temperatures. The field experiment conducted with twenty-four TGMS lines, nineteen F1’s and four checks in randomized block design with three replications at the Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar during Kharif 2021. The Analysis of Variance revealed the presence of ample amount of variability in the experimental material for all the characters and found highly significant for all the traits viz.,days to 50% flowering, panicle length, plant height, number of tillers per plant, 1000 grain weight, number of grains per panicle, days to maturity and yield per plant. Among all the nineteen F1’s TGMS-17 x PD-18-2, TGMS-12 x PB-2 and TGMS-24 x PD-24 found good for all the desired traits and can be directly used in breeding programmes. Among the twenty-four TGMS lines the minimum critical temperature for fertility was observed in TGMS-5-1, TGMS-7, TGMS-11 and TGMS-16, these lines can be used in hybrid development. Therefore, in Pantnagar situation to get complete sterility these lines should be sown in first fortnight of May. Based on standard heterosis TGMS-17 x PD-18-2 found good for number of tillers per plant and TGMS-24 x PD-24 for 1000 grain weight and yield per plant. These crosses may be suggested for straight use in hybrid breeding. The results of morphological and floral characterization studies showed that TGMS lines viz.,TGMS-11 and TGMS-12, TGMS-12-10-1, TGMS-12-25, TGMS-16-1 and TGMS-24-1 had good desirable traits like ratooning ability, grain type and panicle exsertion for the better extent of outcrossing ability. These lines can be utilized for two-line hybrid rice breeding programme for high heterotic expression and superior yield.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on genetic variability and diversity in forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench](G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-08) Thapliyal, Vinod; Pandey, P. K.The present investigation “Studies on Genetic Variability and Diversity in Forage Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]” was carried out with 22 test entries and 2 check at the Instructional Dairy Farm, Nagla of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand during Kharif season, 2021. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 3 replications. Observations were recorded for 11 quantitative and 3 quality traits viz., days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf area, stem girth, leaf stem ratio, shoot fly dead heart %, TSS, HCN content, protein content, dry fodder yield and green fodder yield with key objective to assess the genetic variability parameters, correlation among various traits and their direct and indirect effects on green fodder yield and genetic diversity The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among all the 24 genotypes for all the 14 traits under study. High GCV and PCV were found for traits namely, HCN content, shoot fly dead heart %, leaf stem ratio, TSS, dry fodder yield, green fodder yield and stem girth. High heritability accompanied by high genetic advance for traits viz., number of leaves per plant, stem girth, leaf stem ratio, shoot fly dead heart %, TSS, HCN content, protein content, dry fodder yield and green fodder yield indicating additive gene action. Analysis of correlation coefficient revealed the highly significant and positive correlation, at both genotypic and phenotypic level, of green fodder yield with plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf area, stem girth, leaf stem ratio, TSS and dry fodder yield. Path coefficient analysis disclosed that dry fodder yield had maximum positive direct effect on green fodder yield followed by stem girth, TSS, leaf stem ratio, plant height, HCN content, protein content, leaf breadth, number of leaves per plant, shoot fly dead heart % and days to 50% flowering while leaf length and leaf area exhibited negative direct on green fodder yield. High positive indirect effect on green fodder yield was exhibited mainly via dry fodder yield, TSS and stem girth. The genetic diversity of 24 genotypes, which were divided into seven clusters, was evaluated using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. Cluster IV was found to have maximum number of genotypes followed by cluster I and V. Highest inter-cluster distance was recorded between cluster IV and cluster V. It was found that dry fodder yield contributed maximum towards genetic diversity followed by green fodder yield. Based on per se performance of genotypes, it was found that PC 21-1158 and PC 21-1227 were found superior over best check Pant chari-5 for both green as well as dry fodder yield along with low HCN content. Hence, they can be used in further breeding programme for crop improvement.
