kusalkar, D.V.BANKAR MAHESH B.2019-01-252019-01-252016http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810092607The present investigation “Assessment of genetic divergence in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)” was undertaken to study the extent of genetic variability, heritability (broad sense), genetic advance, correlation and genetic divergence in 36 genotypes of wheat. The material was evaluated in randomized block design with two replications during Rabi-2014 at Post Graduate Research Farm, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. Observations were recorded on ten characters viz., days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity, spiklets per spike (no.),tillers per running meter(no.),plant height (cm),ear head length (cm), grains per ear head (no), grain yield per plant (g)1000 grain weight (g),and protein content (%). Significant treatment mean sum of squares for all characters studied were observed. The trait grain yield per plant showed maximum GCV and PCV than other traits followed by grains per spike and spikelets per spike. Environmental influence was less on expression of these characters as evident by narrow gap between genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation. All characters showed high heritability except for days to maturity and thousand grain weight. The character days to 50% flowering showed high broad sense heritability with low genetic advance. Grain yield per plant exhibited significant and positive correlation with tillers per running meter, grain per spike, ear head length, spiklets per spike and 1000 grain weight. Substantial amount of genetic diversity was observed among 36 genotypes of wheat. All 36 genotypes were grouped into 7 clusters. Cluster II and IV were the largest among all clusters with 9 genotypes in each followed by cluster III (7 genotypes), cluster I (6 genotypes), Cluster VII (3 genotypes) while cluster V and VI contained solitary genotype each. The inter cluster distance (D) was ranged between 5.64 (cluster V and VI) and 10.50 (cluster VI and VII). On the basis of inter cluster means and performance observed in the present study, genotypes AJINKYATARA, PHS0622 and LOK BOLD were found to the superior genotypes for further improvement of yield.ennullThesis