Knowledge about germplasm diversity is an invaluable aid in crop improvement strategies. The following research aimed to study the diversity of 53 mustard (Brassica rapa) genotypes. The study had a randomized complete block design with three replications, implemented at the Genetics and Plant Breeding Department experimental field of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University. The collected germplasms came from the said university and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute. Different multivariate analysis techniques used help classify genotypes across 21 studied characteristics, with all the genotypes grouped into seven clusters. Among the seven clusters, Cluster III had the most genotypes (12) and Cluster IV the least (1). Cluster VII showed the highest intra-cluster distance, and Cluster IV the lowest. The largest inter-cluster distance was between clusters IV and VII, and the smallest was between clusters I and III. Selecting genotypes from clusters with the greatest distances could enhance genetic diversity and heterosis. Genotypes from clusters with moderate to high inter-cluster distances and medium to high yields could be applicable for desirable segregants. Specifically, genotypes G2, G12, G17, G33, and G44 from Cluster I; G1, G10, G38, and G40 from Cluster II; G8, G13, G27, and G43 from Cluster III; G51 from Cluster IV; G21, G34, and G52 from Cluster V; G25 and G37 from Cluster VI; and G3 and G41 from Cluster VII would be favorable selections as superior parents for hybridization programs.
Oil seed, mustard, genetic diversity, morphological characteristics, cluster analysis, and D2 statistic
The highest genetic divergence emerged between clusters IV and VII, suggesting that selecting genotypes from these clusters could enhance heterotic F1 generation and diversity in segregating generations.