Investigation of Genetic Diversity in Sainfoin Ecotypes Based on Important Characteristics Using Multivariate Statistical Analysis

In order to investigate of genetic diversity in sainfoin based on seed yield and related traits, 36 ecotypes including foreign and Iranian ecotypes, an experiment was conducted using a lattice design with two replications in researches station in Natural Resources and Agricultural Researches Center of East Azerbaijan province. Analysis of variance revealed significant genetic diversity among ecotypes with respect to some of the traits in first. Coefficient of variation (C.V.) was highest for harvest index and smallest for days to end of flowering. Thirty six ecotypes were classified into three groups using cluster analysis based Ward's algorithms and all the traits. In grouping based on seed yield and related traits identified using multiple regression analysis, group including (MIX) 2979, (MIX) 1174, (MIX) 325, (MIX) 20291, Hashtrood (LOCAL) had a higher mean for the trait analyzed. In factor analysis, six factor with eigenvalues greater than 1 explained 82.37 percent of total variance.