Abstract

Thirty six (36) accessions of Plectranthus edulis were evaluated to assess the extent of genetic diversity within the collected accessions using 16 characters. Analysis of variance for each characters indicated highly significant (p<0.01) variation among the accessions for all characters except tuber length. The accessions under study were grouped into six clusters. Clusters I and II contained the maximum number of accessions (12 accessions each) and cluster VI contained the minimum number of accession (one accession). The maximum distance was observed between clusters IV and V (D2 =348.67), while the minimum was between clusters II and IV (D2 =32.69). The present study indicates a considerable amount of variability for the majority of the characters of interest in P. edulis for exploitation. Nevertheless, the need for confirmation of genotypic-environmental interaction, conventional characterization approach through advanced tools of biochemical and molecular approaches and widening of the genetic base for strengthening P. edulis improvement strategy are suggested.

Key words: Cluster analysis, D2 analysis, genetic variability, Plectranthus edulis.