Multivariate and Clustering Analysis in Sweet Tamarind Seedling Progenies

Seventy eight seedling progenies of a sweet tamarind type collected from Dindigul region were planted at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam during September 2005. These seedling progenies in pre bearing stage were evaluated to assess the variability existing in respect of growth parameters viz., tree height, girth and canopy spread. Among the three characters studied, canopy spread exhibited highest correlation with girth (0.61) than tree height (0.21). Tree height having highest correlation with girth (0.46) than canopy spread (0.21). In Bivariate fit analysis, TIS40, TIS 49 and TIS 52 were recorded the highest performance and TIS 53 had the lowest performance among the 78 progenies studied. In hierarchical clustering analysis, totally six groups were identified. In this, highest performers TIS 26, TIS 38, TIS 40, TIS 49 and TIS 52 were came under one group and the lowest performers TIS5, TIS 55, TIS 7, TIS 16, TIS69, TIS 72, TIS 24, TIS70, TIS 25, TIS 53, TIS 11, TIS 17, TIS 22, TIS 21 and TIS 46 were classified under the another group. Other four groups are moderately performing in nature. TIS 36 having dwarf statured and compact canopy may be exploited for easy harvesting and it can also be possible to accommodate more number of trees within the specified area leading to high density planting.