Abstract:
In the present investigation 22 dessert banana genotypes were evaluated under coastal plain zone of
Odisha during the year 2013-14 and 2104-15 in a randomized block design with three replications.
Observations were recorded on growth parameters and yield attributing traits. Analysis of variance
indicated significant differences among the genotypes in respect of all the growth parameters and yield
attributing traits. The PCV and GCV (phenotypic and genotypic coefficient variation) were higher for
finger weight, bunch weight and number of fingers. Bunch girth and finger weight had very high broad
sense heritability (h2
). Finger weight recorded the highest genetic advance followed by bunch weight.
All the genotypes, on the basis of total variability were grouped into twelve distinct clusters. Maximum
number of cultivars was accommodated in Cluster 1 followed by Cluster 7. Inter cluster distance was
the highest between cluster 12 and cluster 7. Bunch girth made the maximum contribution to divergence
(45.02 %) followed by finger weight (39.83 %).
