GENETIC DIVERSITY ASSESSMENT OF INDIGENOUS WHEAT GERMPLASM FROM DIFFERENT AREAS OF PAKISTAN USINGAGRO-MORPHOMETRIC TRAITS

Genetic diversity was studied among 102 wheat genotypes using 19 agro-morphological characters. Multivariate analysis including cluster number and principal component analyses were carried out. Significant variation was found for all the characters. The largest variation was observed in awn length (44.10), number of tillers (38.57), biological yield (23.57), flag leaf area (20.19) and peduncle length (18.85). The 102 genotypes were grouped into five clusters based on hierarchical clustering method. PCI showed maximum genetic variability 18.15%, PCII contributed 13.33%, and PCIII accounted for 10.78% of total morphological diversity. Genotypes PS 2004, 011872 and 010742, have high thousand grain weight, highest spike length, high number of tillers per plant. PS 2004, 011872 and 010742 three elite genotypes identified on the basis of important agro-morphological traits for future breeding program under Mansehra conditions.