Clustering of knolkhol (Brassica oleracea var. gongyloides L.) genotypes for various quantitative and quality tr

Abstract

The investigation comprising of thirty genotypes of knolkhol was carried out at Vegetable Research Farm, SKUAST-J, Main campus, Chatha, J & K to study the extend of genetic divergence for various quantitative and quality traits of knolkhol during the year 2016-17. Based on the performance of genotypes in the main season thirty genotypes grouped into six clusters of which cluster I accommodated 12 genotypes, while cluster V and VI were solitary. Intra cluster distance was maximum for cluster III (122.44) followed by cluster IV (104.23) and the maximum inter cluster distance was observed between cluster II and cluster IV (1182.73) followed by cluster I and IV (723.99). A considerable genetic difference for cluster means of genotypes was observed between the groups during main season. The genotypes falling in cluster IV recorded maximum cluster mean value for number of leaves per plant (11.18), marketable knob diameter (7.37 cm), marketable knob weight/plant (380.29 g/ plant) and yield/plot (5.11 kg/plant); cluster I gave minimum value for days to marketable maturity (50.10) and cluster VI gave maximum cluster mean for most of the quality traits such as beta carotene contents of knob and leaves, ascorbic acid contents of knob, calcium content of knob and leaves, potassium content of knob and leaves and phosphorous content of knob and leaves. Hence, crosses between genotypes selected from these clusters may be used to generate knolkhol genotypes with good yield and quality traits.