Assessment of genetic diversity and principal component analysis of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) genotypes for yield and other traits under North Indian plains

The present study was undertaken to estimate genetic diversity among the twenty genotypes and to study the nature and magnitude of association among the various morphological and biochemical traits evaluated. The experiment was conducted in an RCBD with three replications in Rabi at Jalandhar. A diverse set of twenty spinach genotypes was evaluated for agro-morphological and yield-related traits across two growing seasons. Significant variability was observed for most traits, indicating the presence of substantial genetic diversity. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to reduce dimensionality and identify traits contributing most to variation among genotypes. The first few principal components accounted for a major proportion of total variability, with leaf yield, leaf length, leaf breadth, and plant height emerging as the most influential traits. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into distinct clusters, suggesting potential heterotic groups for future breeding programs. The findings offer valuable insights for genetic improvement and selection strategies aimed at enhancing spinach yield and adaptability under North Indian agro-ecological conditions. The study provides a roadmap for selecting genetically diverse parents with complementary traits and identifies the most important traits for improvement. This enhances the efficiency of breeding programs aimed at developing high-yielding, nutritionally superior, and adaptable spinach varieties.