Indian J. Genet., 80(1) (2020) DOI: *Corresponding author’s e-mail: anil.khar@gmail.com Published by the Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding, A-Block, F2, First Floor, NASC Complex, IARI P.O., Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110 012; Online management by www.isgpb.org; indianjournals.com Study on dispersion of genetic variation among Indian garlic ecotypes using agro morphological traits Ashwini Prashant Benke, Anil Khar 1* , Vijay Mahajan, Amarjeet Gupta and Major Singh ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Rajgurunagar 410 505, Pune; 1 Division of Vegetable Science, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012 (Received: March 2019; Revised: December 2019; Accepted: January 2020) type. By contrast, hard neck ( A. sativum ssp. ophioscorodon) possesses 6 to 11 cloves in single round position and produces scape and flower stalks (Volk et al. 2004). This classification elaborated by other researchers (Keller 2002; Hanelt 2001) and further explained its sub-grouping by Maass and Klaas (1995). Based on morphological, isozyme and molecular markers, Etoh and Simon (2002) grouped A. sativum species into four classes as Longicuspis, Subtropical, Ophioscorodon and Sativum. Garlic is known for its health benefits as it constitutes characteristic organo-suphur compounds (Barboza et al. 2020). Besides, it is an excellent source of flavonoids, antioxidants, lectins, vitamins and minerals (Pizzorno and Murray 2005). These biochemicals not only add identical flavour and pungency to garlic but make it most referable medicine. Medicinal value of garlic was quoted date back 5000 years ago in the history of Egypt, China and India. The typical flavor of garlic has made it a common ingredient in cuisines worldwide. Garlic consumption helps to improve health status by enhancing immunity, reducing cholesterol level, lowering blood pressure level, curing skin allergies and reducing cancer risk (Sterling and Eagling, 2001). Characterization of genotypes in the form of report is necessary to acquaint with evolution process followed in garlic. Therefore, study on genetic diversity, population structure concerning the morphological, enzymatic and molecular level is prerequisite. This information will serve as a stepping stone for improving breeding strategies in this crop through selection. The primary centre of origin of garlic is Central Asia, i.e., Abstract Garlic (Allium sativum L.) a clonally propagated bulbous crop, is of high medicinal value owing to its sulphur- containing compounds. Although asexually propagated, garlic depicts wide genetic diversity in agro-morphological traits and biochemical composition. A study was conducted to dissect the extent of genetic divergence among 625 Indian garlic genotypes considering 21 agro-morphological traits. Pooled analysis exhibited significant variation among accessions for various morphological traits. Ward’s clustering method clustered germplasm collection into three distinct groups. Clustering pattern did not correspond with geographical origin of accessions. Strong and positive correlation of marketable yield with plant weight with leaves (r = 0.83), plant weight without leaves (r = 0.84), average bulb weight (r = 0.50), plant height (r = 0.58), pseudostem length (r = 0.59), number of leaves (r = 0.54) and weight of fifty cloves (r = 0.49) was recorded. These traits will be useful for direct selection in crops like garlic. Principal Component analysis minimised 21 components up to 12 vectors which measured nearly 90% variation. Conservation of such vital and diverse garlic genotype is prerequisite to assure successful selection breeding programme. Key words: Genetic diversity, Principal Component Analysis, correlation, cluster analysis, Allium sativum L. Introduction Globally garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a second most widely consumed Allium after onion.Its basic chromosome number ranges from 7 to 9. However, species native to Mediterranean region contain eight chromosomes (Brat 1965). Botanically, garlic is classified as soft neck and hard neck garlic. Soft neck garlic (A. sativum ssp. sativum) contains 10-20 cloves per bulb in at least three layers and is incomplete bolter