GENETIC DIVERGENCE AMONG MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) INBRED LINES USING MORPHOMETRIC MARKERS

Genetic divergence study is imperative in breeding programmes order to select distant parents. Forty maize inbred lines were assessed using morphometric markers identify the potential for yield and its component traits. The raised α-RBD design replicated twice during kharif 2019. morphological diversity analysis was done as per standard statistical procedures Mahalanobis D2-statistic. Analysis of variance revealed significant mean sum squares due genotypes all traits suggesting ample amount genetic variability present among them. Moderate PCV, GCV high heritability coupled with moderate advance observed grain plant, plant cob placement height. Grain exhibited positive correlation except days 50 cent pollen shed silking. Path direct effects shed, harvest index, grains row 100 grain-weight on therefore these would be best selection indices yielding genotypes. D2-statistics grouped 40 into three clusters. Cluster III has highest cluster values traits.Seven viz., 4186-4-05-1-1, LM-14, BAJIM-08-27, BIOM 10, LQPM24×1114-5, 9180-2, LDH 5(Vivek-21-1) superior over check basis performance disease resistance diverse therefore, could used improvement program.