MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS FOR EVALUATING DIVERSITY IN AVENA SATIVA GERMPLASM

Avena sativa L. is a quick-growing, highly nutritious fodder of cool climates, grown for various purposes, and can meet feed demands in scarce periods. The study aimed to identify potential genotypes that offer higher fodder yields. Over three years (2018–2020), 225 genotypes collected from the USDA and FRI were analyzed for genetic diversity based on morphological and yield-related characteristics. The experiments followed an alpha lattice design, with data recorded before panicle emergence. The assessment revealed significant genetic variability among the accessions for the studied traits. The principal component analysis demonstrated that three primary components explained the bulk of the total variability each year. Genotypes with high green fodder yield, tillers per plant, leaves per plant, and plant height acquired positions in the right quadrants of the biplots for 2018 and 2020. Positive correlations observed between tillers per plant and leaves per plant and among plant height, tillers per plant, leaves per plant, and green fodder yield. Exotic and local genotypes were widely distributed across all four quadrants, indicating substantial genetic diversity. The cluster analysis classified 225 oat genotypes into 10 groups based on phenotypic characteristics. Clusters II, VIII, IX, and X displayed higher mean values for most studied traits. Clusters with maximum inter-cluster distances, such as Clusters II and X in 2018, I and X in 2019, and III and VIII in 2020, could be useful in future hybridization programs. Genotypes 198 (Mustang) and 219 (Boppy) provided superior fodder yield than standard checks. These genotypes need further evaluation in different locations for sustainable performance and recommendations for general cultivation.