Hundred foxtail millet genetic resources were studied to assess the magnitude of genetic diversity for 18 metric traits using Mahalanobis D2 Statistic (Tocher’s method). The results of the study showed that the genotypes were grouped into 11 distinct non-overlapping clusters suggesting availability of substantial genetic diversity. Maximum number of genetic resources were grouped in cluster I (43) followed by cluster II (37), cluster VI with six genetic resources, cluster IV, IX with four genetic resources each and the remaining were monogenotypic clusters III, V, VII, VIII, X and XI containing only single genetic resource indicating high degree of heterogeneity among the genotypes. Clusters V and XI showed maximum inter-cluster distance between them implying these genetic resources with high degree of genetic diversity may be utilized in inter-varietal hybridization programme. Considering the distribution of genotypes, it can be inferred that cross SiA 4044 x SiA 3222 alone has good potential of producing heterotic hybrids or transgressive segregants, depending on the gene action controlling the traits. The trait, number of grains / ear head followed by plant height contributed maximum towards total divergence indicating feasibility of improvement through those characters. | Studies on genetic diversity for grain yield and nutritional traits in foxtail millet genetic resources [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.]
