Genetic Divergence Analysis among Micromutant Lines in Finger Millet(Eleusine coracana G.)

The induced genetic divergence was estimated in 44 mutant lines of finger millet variety GPU 26, developed by single and combination treatments with gamma rays, EMS and NG using three multivariate analyses. The mutant lines were grouped into eight genetically diverse clusters by multivariate D2 and canonical analyses and 11 clusters by dendrogram grouping through Gower's similarity coefficient. The clustering pattern in these three methods was almost similar. Twelve mutant lines in D2 and 13 in the dendrogram grouping method were grouped in the parental cluster(Cluster I) indicating that they did not possess enough divergence from the parent to be classified as micromutant lines. However a large proportion of mutant lines showed divergence from the parent variety and also among themselves. No definite relationship of mutagenic origin and clustering of mutant lines were observed. The mutant lines developed from the same mutagenic treatments often grouped into different clusters indicating that each mutagenic treatment was effective in inducing diverse types of changes in the nine traits studied. The hybridization program between the divergent mutant lines GE 2-2 or GE 3-4 with GG 3-1 is expected to give promising and desirable segregants in subsequent generations. Traits such as days to 50% flowering and days to maturity had major contributions to the induced genetic divergence.