Genetic Variability and Divergence Analysis in Oat (Avena sativa) under Rainfed Environment of Intermediate Himalayan Hills

Abstract

On the basis of D2 analysis 70 oat genotypes were grouped into seven clusters and two ungrouped clusters.
Cluster I was the largest and contained 16 genotypes. The genotype belonging to ungrouped cluster IX, namely,
SJO-47 showed promise for green fodder yield, dry matter yield, green fodder productivity/day, tillers/plant
and dry matter (%). The highest intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster VIII containing fi ve genotypes.
The most distant clusters were cluster II and cluster VIII followed by cluster II and VII and Cluster II and IX.
The genotypes SJO-14, SJO-16, SJO-17, SJO-13, SJO-15, SJO-12, SJO-11 were distantly related with JO-55,
SJO-56, SJO-54, SJO-52, SJO-53. The maximum (%) contribution towards genetic divergence was contributed
by crop duration, followed by green fodder yield and plant height. High phenotypic and genotypic coeffi cient
of variation coupled with high heritability and genetic advance as (%) of mean were reported for green fodder
productivity, plant height, tillers/plant, dry matter yield and green fodder yield