Genetic Diversity in Early Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea Var. botrytis L.) Germplasm

An experiment was conducted to study genetic divergence in 51 genotypes of cauliflower. Data was recorded for 16 quantitative characters. The genotypes were grouped into 14 clusters. A majority of the genotypes grouped together in Cluster 14 (with 14 genotypes), followed by Cluster 12 (with 8 genotypes). Intra-cluster value was maximum in Cluster 8 and minimum in Cluster 2. Maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between Clusters 8 and 10, followed by that between Clusters 10 and 13 and between Clusters 8 and 12. Hence, genotypes IIHR-323-13, IIHR-214- 5 and IIHR-277-14 of Cluster 8, and genotypes IIHR-263 and IIHR-272 of cluster 10 present the best choice for hybridization. Highest mean value for plant weight, leaf number, curd diameter, curd size, net curd-weight , net plot yield, yield per hectare and marketable curd-weight was also observed in Cluster 10, which indicates that genotypes included in this cluster are potential parents for hybridization programmes aimed at increasing cauliflower yields.