Genetic diversity among native wild hip rose (Rosa canina L.) genotypes collected from Kashmir valley

Abstract

Thirty six wild hip rose (Rosa canina L.) genotypes collected from different areas of Kashmir valley in India were assessed for overall diversity detecting similarities among important pomological, fruit quality and yield parameters. The genotypes differed significantly for these traits. Nine variables were scored and subjected to multivariate analysis. Results showed a considerable phenotypic diversity among hip rose genotypes in bush height (2.45-9.00 m), hip yield (0.75-7.5 kg/bush), fruit diameter (8.05-14.89 mm), fruit length (11.69-24.85 mm), fruit weight (0.46-2.20 g), fruit pulp weight (0.26-1.30 g), fruit: pulp ratio (44.05-89.37), seed number per hip (1- 37) and TSS (29.8-39.6°Brix). The cluster analysis classified genotypes into six distinct groups according to their distinct characteristics. The groups I, II and III were found superior in terms of fruit characteristics and tree traits, whereas, I and VI were most diverse. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that traits related to fruit diameter, fruit weight, pulp weight, number of seeds per hip accounted for a large proportion of the observed variability and four genotypes, namely, ‘RH-PH-1’, ‘RH-OAF-18’ and RH-12 ‘RH-11’ were found superior for yield attributing traits.