Comparision of cluster formation by mahalanobis’ D2 and metroglyph analyses in groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.).

ABSTRACT

Fifty genotypes of groundnut were classified into five and seven clusters in D2 and Metroglyph methods of analyses respectively. Harvest Index and 100-seed weight were the main contributors to total divergence as per metroglyph analysis. The characters on X and Y axes in scattered metroglyph diagram determine the grouping of genotypes, hence it poses a problem for judicious selection of these characters. The comparative study of these methods indicated that metroglyph analysis would be suitable for preliminary grouping when large number of genotypes are considered at a time. The differences between the two methods, the number of clusters formed, inter cluster distance, characters considered for grouping and superimposition of genotypes within the cluster indicated that D2 analysis was more effective compared to metroglyph analysis.