Diversity analysis of maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes under excess soil moisture condition

Abstract

The screening of seventy CIMMYT maize hybrids was carried out to estimate the genetic diversity which was evaluated undermanaged excess moisture condition, indicated presence of considerable diversity. The experiment was conducted in an alpha lattice design with two replication and phenotypic data were analyzed using sixteen agro-morphological traits. The seventy single cross maize hybrids including five checks grouped into sixteen clusters based on Mahalanobis D2 statistic. Cluster III (25) was the biggest one which accommodated maximum number of genotypes followed by cluster I (22), cluster XI (6) and cluster II (5). Presence of twelve solitary clusters indicated larger genetic diversity. Based upon the divergence studies suggesting crossing may be made between genotypes of cluster II (ZH17365, VH11128, HT5102, NK6240 and GM6) and cluster XV (ZH17380), and the hybrid in these cluster could be used as donor parents for new double cross maize hybrid development for improving yield under water logging condition.