On genetic diversity in germplasm of vetiver ‘Veteveria zizanioides (L.) Nash’

Genetic divergence among 40 genetic stocks of vetiver ‘Veteveria zizanioides (L.) Nash’ assembled from different places of India and abroad (Indonesia, Reunion, Haiti and Thailand) were quantified by multivariate analysis for plant height, tillers, fresh, dry root, root length, oil content and oil yield. All the accessions could be grouped into six clusters. Dry root yield, oil content, plant height and oil yield were found to be the common forces of divergence at all the three inter, intra-cluster and inter-genetic levels of differentiation. Diverse agro-ecological conditions, migration of genetic material due to genetic drift, gene flow, out crossing, introduction/exchange of genetic stocks at National and International levels, introgression, mutations, coupled with natural and or artificial selection are the possible factors responsible for such a diversity in vetiver grass. Heritability estimates were over 90 percent for all the characters studied except dry root/plant (78.08%), indicating selection was possible.

► Genetic diversity observed in vetiver was not related to geographic origin. ► Genetic variability among the available germplasm of vetiver was very high. ► Characters influencing oil yield and soil conservation ability of vetiver were highly heritable. ► Based on this study desirable vetiver parents can be selected.