Determination of genetic diversity in indigenous cultivars of onion (Allium cepa L.) by multivariate analysis under mid hill zone of North Western Himalayas, India

The present investigation was carried out at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSK HPKV Palampur to assess the genetic divergence in indigenous cultivars of onion. Fifty eight genotypes were evaluated in Randomized Block Design with three replications during rabi 2016-17. Data were recorded on 11 yield and yield related traits. The multivariate analysis revealed considerable genetic diversity in the 58 genotypes. Genotypes were arranged into eight clusters with maximum genotypes in cluster II. Marketable yield contributed maximum towards total genetic divergence followed by equatorial diameter and polar diameter. Eleven genotypes namely, ON14-27, ON15-16, ON16-35, ON16-17, ON16-25, ON16-24, ON16-11, ON16-22, ON14-23, ON15-42, ON15-33 along with the standard check Palam Lohit could offer promise for their direct use as varieties and as potential parents in future breeding programmes to isolate transgressive segregants.