Variability, heritability and classification of Amaranthus L. genotypes by chierarchical analysis

Ten amaranth genotypes were studied during a three year experiment. The object of this study was to evaluate variability and heritability of productive traits (such as total grain yield), as well as to classify the genotypes using chierarchical analysis UPMG. The aim of this study was to determine initial breeding material for future selection programmes of amaranth. The obtained data expressed significant variability in total leaf mass per plant ranging from 94.05 g (genotype 3 – A. molleros) to 246.81 g (genotype 1 – A. mantegazzianus), grain yield per plant ranging from 45.56 g (genotype 3 – A. molleros) to 67.55 g (genotype 1 – A. mantegazzianus), as well as total grain yield ranging from 2 220 kg ha-1 (genotype 3 – A. molleros) to 3 200 kg ha-1 (genotype 1 – A. mantegazzianus). Relatedness among the genotypes and their divergence were established by chierarchical cluster analysis which provided the foundation for further selection of individual amaranth genotypes and breeding programmes. These results will be helpfull for establishing new breeding programmes, especially intra-species hybridisation of genotypes 5 – A. cruentus and 10 – A cruentus; inter-species hybridisation should be between the genotypes 1 – A. mantegazzianus and 3 – A. molleros.