Genetic Diversity and Genetic Relationships in Garlic Germplasm

The present investigation was conducted to assess the genetic diversity among 131 garlic genotypes using twelve morpho-agronomic traits and molecular markers at SVPUAT Meerut during rabi season of 2014. At the morphological level ANOVA showed significant variation (p <0.05) for all traits indicating greater variability in germplasm. Mahalanobis D 2 analysis revealed a considerable amount of diversity in the germplasm. Traits like clove weight and bulb weight per plant were the major contributors to genetic divergence. At the molecular level 19 RAPD and 4 ISSR marker generated 74 and 12 polymorphic bands respectively and SSR produced 42 alleles were detected among 131 garlic genotypes with an average of 3.9 (RAPD) 3 (ISSR) and 2 (SSR) bands. Cluster analysis based on UPGMA three separate dendrograms and one combined similarity tree prepared will help the genetic relation studies among germplasm. The genotypes viz. K1 GHC-1 PG-20 W6-35698 M352 AVTG-2 Chachena mota Kantgola CFG-3 AVTG-4 were more diverse with the good horticultural performance thus these genotypes could be a good parental choice for further garlic breeding programs.