Genetic divergence in baby corn (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was conducted with 54 composites/hybrids in three replications in randomized block design at Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, A. A. U., Anand during rabi 2006-07. The data on baby corn yield and its attributes were subjected to Mahalanobis (1936) D(2) analysis using Tocher method for clustering. The results indicated that the varieties were distributed in seven clusters of which cluster V had maximum intra-cluster distance (14.89) and minimum in cluster VI (5.45). The composites/hybrids belonging to clusters V and VI were all from same geographical region (Almora). The inter-cluster distance ranged from 16.03 (clusters III and VI) to 60.05 (clusters IV and VII). Among clusters variation was higher in green fodder yield, ear height, plant height and baby corn yield. On the basis of R(2) values and frequency of top ranking, plant height and ear height were found to be the most important characters contributing to the total genetic divergence.