MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) GERMPLASM AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION BASED ON DESCRIPTIVE, CLUSTER AND PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS

Broad genetic makeup is always less vulnerable to various biotic and abiotic stresses. To identify and maintain diverse genetic base, the screening of collections is carried out through different marker systems. In the current investigation a total of 153 maize genotypes including 150 accessions from China, Japan and Pakistan, and 3 check varieties were characterized for 34 agronomic and morphological traits. These traits were comprised of ten qualitative and twenty-four quantitative variables which were recorded using augmented design at Plant Genetic Resources Institute (PGRI), National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) Islamabad, Pakistan during spring-2012. Descriptive statistical analysis of the data reflected that maximum variance of 3394.8 was detected in grain yield per plant followed by 1243.3 noted in plant height. The multivariate analyses showed the maximum Euclidean distance of 13.9 was noted between 15329 and 14909, 15329 and 14959 and 24690 and 14959. Cluster analysis distributed the whole genotypes into 5 clusters indicating their broad genetic base. Principal component analysis revealed that 7 of the principal components with an Eigenvalue of more than 1 accounted for 70.56 percent of the overall variations. The identification of high level of genetic diversity during the current study could be implied for maize germplasm characterization, conservation and further improvement in maize breeding.