Genetic variability, character association and diversity analysis in turmeric

The experimental material comprised of 83 turmeric genotypes were evaluated at Faizabad (U.P.), India during 2011-12. The highest magnitude for coefficient of variation at genotypic (GCV) and phenotypic levels (PCV) was observed for number of tertiary rhizomes per plant followed by number of tillers per clump and number of secondary rhizomes per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was expressed for number of leaves per shoot followed by number of tertiary rhizomes per plant. The rhizome yield per plant exhibited highly significant and positive correlation with weight of fresh rhizome per plant followed by weight of mother rhizome and number of primary rhizomes per plant. The highest positive direct effect on rhizome yield was exerted by weight of fresh rhizomes per plant followed by number of leaves per shoot. Among 83 turmeric genotypes in 10 clusters, the highest number of genotypes was grouped in cluster V (18 genotypes) followed by cluster III (14 genotypes), clusters VIII, IV, VII, I, X, VI IX, and II possessed 11, 10, 9, 7, 6, 4, 2 and 2 genotypes, respectively. The maximum intra- and inter-cluster distance was observed for the cluster II followed by cluster IX and cluster I. The highest percent contribution of genetic divergence was noticed with rhizome yield followed by weight of primary rhizomes and plant height. These cluster based analysis have proved to be effective methods in grouping turmeric accessions that may facilitate their effective utilization in crop improvement programmes through direct selection.