LAUSR

ABSTRACT Development and evaluation of genetic diversity is necessary for selection decisions in breeding. Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is used as vegetable in the human diet. Thirty-one genotypes of amaranth, collected from the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVRDC), Tanzania; Research Institute and Crop Production (RICP), Czech Republic; National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Nigeria; and National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Nigeria, were evaluated for grain yield and related characters. Entries were evaluated in 2012 to determine genetic diversity among germplasm. There was a Genotype × Location interaction for most traits. Genotype Z150 from RICP had the highest grain yield at Ibadan; NG103 from NACGRAB had the highest value at Abeokuta (48.8). Genetic divergence was generally similar among germplasm from the same collection center, though a few clustered irrespective of collection center. High Mahalanobis squared distance (D2) occurred between cluster III and cluster IV (39.84). Genotypes in cluster IV were related to high grain yield (47.47 g); cluster I was associated with low days to 50% flowering (64.0). Introduction of germplasm from different geographic collection centers offers opportunity for genetic diversity and improvement of amaranth.