Genetic divergence of mandarin genotypes in Nagaland

Abstract

Genetic divergence of 50 mandarin genotypes for general plant features and physico-chemical parameters in Nagaland was estimated using Mahanalobis D2 analysis. The genotypes were grouped into five clusters. The clusters I was the largest with 34 genotypes followed by cluster II with 12 genotypes, cluster IV with 2 genotypes while cluster III and V included 1 genotype each. Clustering pattern indicated no association between geographical distribution of genotypes and genetic divergence. The inter-cluster distances were higher than the average intra-cluster distances exhibiting wide genetic diversity among the genotypes of different groups than those of the same cluster. The intra-cluster distance was highest in cluster IV, while inter-cluster distance was maximum between I and IV followed by I and V, showing wide diversity between the groups. Leaf length, stamen length, fruit weight, equatorial diameter, polar diameter and juice percent showed maximum contribution towards total divergence among the genotypes.