Abstract
In order to evaluate the genetic diversity of 16 agronomic traits and crop quality in sugar beet, an experiment was carried out using 49 sugar beet breeding populations in a simple lattice design in Feizabad Agricultural Research Station of Qazvin in 1998. Mean comparisons using LSD test showed that genotypes 41RT,1 2965 Bulk, ET5, 19669T and 87R in root yield, and genotypes 1O1R - I - P.5,9585, 9597, MSI13, MSC2, 7233 - P.12, Otype C2, G155, 9648, 9625, 9634, 9606, 9623,9656, 8148, C3.3, LITI3
and 1O1R in sugar content were higher than control genotype but non significantly. Positive and significant correlation between root weight and crown height indicated that larger roots had higher crowns not being suitable for selection. Estimation of genetic variance showed that the most genetic diversity among genotypes belonged to root weight, petiole lenght and mean percentage of green cover. Also, the highest heritabilities were related to sodium rate, leaf width, root weight and petiole lenght. Regression analysis showed that leaf length, leaf width, petiole lenght, root diameter, crown diameter and nitrogen rate had the highest effects on root weight variabilities. Results of cluster analysis showed that the genotypes in the first cluster were superior in traits affecting root yield and therefore, these genotypes can be selected for increasing root yield. As regards sugar content, genotypes in the forth cluster were appropriate. The least concentration of impurities as well as crown height belonged to this cluster, making, these genotypes suitable to be used as parents in hybridization programs.
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