Genetic divergence in vegetable amaranth

The genetic divergence was studied among a set of forty-five genotypes of vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) developed from the material collected from indigenous and exotic sources for ten characters. The lines/varieties differed significantly for all the characters. By using D2 analysis, the 45 strains were grouped into ten clusters which were homogeneous within and heterogenous between. The maximum genetic distance was observed between cluster I and III. The clustering pattern showed that genetic divergence was not parallel to geographical distribution. The lines can be selected from diverse clusters, viz., cluster I, III and VI for further hybridization programme. The characters, which are contributing maximum towards divergence, were duration of harvest and total yield, and the width of lamina had minimum contribution towards divergence.