Assessment of genetic diversity in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) genotypes

An investigation was carried out to assess the nature and magnitude of genetic diversity in 36 genotypes of linseed using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. Presences of diversity pave way for exploitation ofgenotypes in breeding programmes which intended to improve the yield and yield attributing traits. The cluster analysis grouped 36 linseed genotypes into 12 distinct clusters. Clusters II and V were the largest containing eight genotypes each followed by cluster I with seven and cluster VII with five genotypes. The pattern of distribution of genotypes within different clusters was random and independent of geographical origin or region of adaptation. The  maximum inter cluster distance was observed between cluster VII and XI (227.97) followed by cluster III and VII (207.29). The greater the distance between the two clusters, wider the genetic diversity between genotypes. The intra cluster distance was maximum in cluster VII (48.85) followed by cluster V (41.30) indicating hybridization involving genotypes within the same clusters might result in good cross combinations. On the basis of cluster mean value, genotypes in cluster VI, VII and IV deserve consideration for their direct use as parents in hybridization programs to develop high yielding linseed varieties.