Assessment of genetic divergence among sugarcane genotypes (Saccharum officinarum L.) based on cane yield and quality traits

A set of 72 genotypes including 5 checks was used to study the extent of genetic divergence based on the different agronomic traits of importance. the divergence analysis based on Mahalanobis d2 grouped 72 genotypes into 9 divergent clusters. the intra-cluster distances were smaller as compared to the inter-cluster distances indicating that genotypes within a cluster are sufficiently divergent from the genotypes of other clusters. The clusters differed with respect to cluster means for different agronomic traits under study. Cluster I and II were characterized by high cane yield, commercial cane sugar and single cane weight. cluster ii and iV had highest number of tillers and number of millable canes. cluster V, Vii and iX were characterized by better quality. only few traits viz. cane yield, number of tillers, number of millable canes and cane length contributed towards the genetic divergence.