Assessment of genetic divergence of mango genotypes using multivariate techniques

Aim The study was carried out to assess the overall genetic variability of 60 mango (Mangifera indica) genotypes for important fruit quality and yield characteristics to select better parents for mango breeding programme. Methodology : A total of 17 variables were scored and subjected to multivariate analysis. ANOVA, descriptive statistics, cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to investigate variability among the genotypes for the selected traits. Results : Significant phenotypic variability was observed for studied traits. Cluster analysis classified all genotypes into two major groups according to shared similarity. Principal component analysis revealed that traits like fruit weight, fruit diameter, pulp content and pulp: stone ratio contributed positively, while fruit shape index, TSS:acid ratio, stone and peel traits contributed negatively for a large proportion of the observed variability. [GRAPHICS] Interpretation : Pusa Arunima, Pusa Shresth, Pusa Lalima, Mallika, Ramkela, Amrapali, Extreema, Neelum, Gulab Jamun, S.B. Alibagh, Tommy Atkins, Primor-de-Amoreira genotypes were found unique for fruit and yield attributing traits, thus making them potential donor parent for fruit weight, fruit color, fruit diameter, fruit shape, pulp and pulp: stone traits in mango hybridization programme.