Genetic Diversity in Kodo Millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum)Relative to Culm Strength and Yield

Presence of genetic diversity is a prerequisite for genetic improvement of any crop. As lodging and associated grain loss is a problem in kodo millet, a study was undertaken to characterize and assess the diversity in kodo millet germplasm accessions for culm strength and grain yield-related traits. Principal component and cluster analyses were performed for grouping the genotypes and to identify the traits that contributed significantly to the diversity in kodo millet. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into four main clusters. Cluster I had highest values for most of the traits, except internode length and grain yield. Cluster IV had smallest mean values for all studied traits. The genotypes in Cluster II had highest values for grain yield and test weight. Cluster III was intermediate in performance for most of the traits, hence genotypes in Cluster I could be used for improving culm-related traits and test weight, and those in Cluster II for improving grain yield and test weight and Cluster III for improving earliness.