Genetic diversity, discriminant and trait association analyses of <i>Celosia argentea</i> accessions

Abstract Celosia ( argentea ), is an important tropical vegetable for households in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the multifaceted usefulness, available genotypes are low-yielding, and faces dangers of genetic erosion due to poor research attention. The magnitude pattern variability will guide choice breeding methods improvement. Twenty-one celosia accessions were evaluated 2018 2019 determine study heterotic patterns among clusters. Accessions clusters differed significantly p ≤0.05/0.01) plant height, number leaves/plant, stem weight, harvest index dry matter content. Genotypic coefficients variation; ranging from 37.89 0.12, lower than phenotypic variation which ranged 114.55 both leaves/plant respectively, indicating importance environment variability. Discriminant analysis indicated low (8.12%) classification error rate, possibility Principal component (PC) controlled 73% observed identified all measured traits as contributors with loadings 0.30 (in PC 1) 0.63 2) weight respectively. Useful levels association also traits. concluded that there was sufficient effective selection. principal analyses content major accessions. Weight edible parts can be simultaneously improved height leaves/plants.