Genetic divergence in mulberry (MaTus spp.)

Abstract

Genetic divergence among 98 mulberry (Morus spp.) genotypes (63 exotic, 35 Indigenous) of different eco-geographlc origin was assessed using Mahalanobls 02 statistics. The total genotypes were grouped Into seven clusters. Maximum number of genotypes were grouped In cluster III (19), IV (19), II (16), IV (16), VII (13) and V (12), respectively. Cluster I had only 3 exotic genotypes. All the clusters having both the exotic and indigenous genotypes except cluster I. The genotypes falling in cluster III had the maximum divergence followed by cluster I and II. The maximum and minimum divergence were revealed between cluster I and VI and between cluster V and VI, respectively. The cluster I and VI showed higher and lower mean values for most of the characters. So, mulberry crop Improvement programme may be tried with the genotypes of divergent clusters for better heterotic effects.