GENETIC DIVERGENCE IN SAFFLOWER (CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS L.)

Abstract

Genetic divergence analysis revealed that twenty eight genotypes
were grauped in 12 clusters. Cluster II comprised five genotypes one each
from Australia, GDR, Pakistan, Japan and USSR whereas clusters VIII
to XlI were represented by single genotype from Iran, Greece, Syria and
India respectively. The common evolutionary trends were ob'Qious, since
the genotypes spaced apart were grauped together. It was also revealed
from grouping pattern that the nature ofselection forces operating under
domestic conditions seems to be unidirectional for accumulating similar
gene pool across the geographical barriers since genotypes from countries
far apart got grouped together. The present study helped in isolating
genotypes with high cluster means which are useful for breeding programme.
However, geographical diversity was observed to be not strictly related to
genetic diversity. This analysis also helped in identifying genotypes
which are gen~tically divergent