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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2025)

Exploring genetic diversity in quality protein maize and selection of genotypes by MGIDI index

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.7496
Submitted
29 January 2025
Published
19-07-2025 — Updated on 24-07-2025
Versions

Abstract

Genetic diversity is a fundamental requirement for the development of high-yielding and resilient maize hybrids. In this context, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the genetic variability for 15 traits among 25 maize inbred lines during Rabi 2021 at the Maize Research Farm, TCA, Dholi, DR.P.C.A.U., Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, with the objective of identifying genetically diverse and agronomically superior lines for future breeding programs. The principal component analysis (PCA) identified first six principle components with more than 1.0 eigenvector and cumulatively explained 85.06 % of the total variance. The Tocher’s cluster analysis was worked out where the 25 inbred lines were grouped into seven different clusters. Cluster I had a maximum of five inbred lines, while cluster V, VI, VII had only one entry. Mahalanobis D2 analysis was performed to know inter and intra cluster distances. Cluster IV displayed maximum intra cluster distance of 63.86 among the clusters. The inter-cluster D2 values also ranged widely with a minimum value of 91.29 between clusters VI and VII to a maximum value of 285.05 between clusters 91.29 VI and V indicating high diversity among the genotypes of different clusters. It was suggested to intercross inbred lines from diverse cluster IV and V in order to develop superior hybrids with maximum heterosis. Among the fifteen traits studied, Harvest index contributed maximum of 12.9 % to the total divergence followed by followed by ear length (11.2 %), no. of kernels per row (10.5 %). Multi trait Genotype – Ideotype Distance Index (MGIDI) selection index results figured out that 15 traits were separated as 6 factors and superior genotypes G8, G9, G15, G24 were selected. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for maize breeders by identifying promising parent lines and trait contributions for maximizing heterosis and genetic gains. The diverse inbred lines identified in this study serve as critical resources for hybrid development and strategic breeding in maize improvement programs.

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