Morpho-agronomic assessment of genetic diversity among rye accessions using multivariate analyses

The aim of the study was to assess the genetic diversity of 27 rye (Secale cereale L.) accessions by using multivariate statistical methods. The experiment was carried in the block method with 3 replications on plots of 2.5 m2 during 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 growing seasons. Nine qualitative and fifteen quantitative morpho-agronomical characters were evaluated. General Shannon-Weaver diversity index for all included in the study traits was moderate (H' = 0.631). The analysis of variance exhibited the presence of significant differences among the tested genotypes for all quantitative characters indicating the existence of variability. The high heritability with high genetic advance was recorded for leaf area of a flag leaf, leaf area of a sub-flag leaf, weight of the main spike, weight of the grain in the main spike, number of spikelets in the main spike and grain yield combined indicating that they are important characters to be considered for selection and improvement of Secale cereale L. Cluster analysis based on the Between groups linkage and Squared Euclidean Distance grouped the genotypes into six clusters. The highest distance values were measured for the following pair wise genotype combinations: B4000206-B7000123, B4000205-B7000123 and B4000210-B7000123. The first 8 principal components explained a very large proportion of the total variation (81.80%). The results of the study will be useful for the breeding improvement programs of rye.