Genetic diversity and relatedness in exotic Mulberry (Morus) germplasm accessions
Genetic diversity and relatedness in exotic Mulberry (Morus) germplasm accessions
Syed Said Badshah Bukhari, Ghulam Ali Bajwa and Miskeen Ali
ABSTRACT
Nine agronomic traits were used for assessing genetic variability and interrelationship in ten exotic mulberry germplasm accessions. The results showed highly significant (p<0.01) variation in all agronomic traits. Both direct and indirect interactions were found among the traits. The highest genetic coefficient of variation (GCV) was 48.18% in total shoot length (TSL), while the lowest GCV was 3.27% in number of branches per plant (NB). The highest phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was 48.19% in TSL, and the lowest PCV was 4.01% in moisture content. The PCV was slightly greater than GCV in all the traits. The heritability (h2), in broader sense, was ranged between 0.50% and 1.0%. Seven agronomic traits have h2 >0.80%. The highest genetic advance (GA) was in TSL (75.95%) and the lowest in inter-nodal distance (0.78%). Cluster analysis showed different levels of linkage among accessions. There were two main clusters and each cluster was divided into subgroups. The linkages among accessions were independent of their geographical origins and sprouting behaviour. Heritability combined with genetic advance showed both additive gene action and intra- and inter allelic interactions in the expressions of the traits. Based on these findings, it is recommended that for improving leaf yield, growth traits which have significant positive effect on leaf yield, such as, TSL, longest shoot length and NB should be considered for mulberry breeding programme. The breeding programme is suggested to be based on hybridization followed by selection method.
Key words: Genetic variability, phenotypic variation, heritability, genetic advance, genetic linkage, mulberry, breeding
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March 2010
Vol. 60, Iss. 1
