Investigation on the diversity and grouping of tea (Camellia sinensis L) clones using cluster analysis

The diversity of 18 tea (Camellia sinensis L.) clones was evaluated in a randomized complete block design with two replications at Fashalam tea station (Rasht) in 2017. Physiological, biochemical and crop traits such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, reducing sugar, total protein content, proline, tea leaf yield and number of shoots were measured. The results of variance analysis showed a significant difference in the level of one percent between tea clones for all studied traits. Mean comparison of clones showed that 100 and 399 clones had the highest amount of green leaf yield and number of shoots and in terms of proline and chlorophyll a were in second rank. The lowest coefficient phenotypic and genotypic variation related to total protein trait (2.97 and 2.58) and the most related to proline (85.88 and 85.84), and other traits were in this range. The cluster analysis by Ward method was able to place 18 clones of the study in three groups and the percentage grouping accuracy of clones by discriminant analysis was 100%. Average of green leaves yield and different types of chlorophyll traits in clones of the first cluster and proline and protein traits in clones of third cluster showed a high value. The clones of these two groups could be used in planning breeding projects and deciding to select suitable parents in crossing programs to increase the leaf yield and proline (which has a role in stress tolerance) in tea. Also, clones 100 and 399 showed a high average for green leaf yield and second rank for proline traits and therefore were introduced as promising clones.