Stability of genetic divergence among five mentrasto accessions in two environments

Abstract

The stability of genetic divergence in five accessions of mentrasto (Ageratum conyzoides) was estimated in two environments (field and greenhouse) and for five harvest times. At each harvest, the following botanical agronomical traits were evaluated: fresh biomass of the aerial part, dry biomass, leaf area, flowering and height in three replications. The grouping analysis (by Tocher’s method) of the first, fourth and fifth harvest on the field formed two groups, and three groups for the second and third harvest. In the greenhouse, the first and fourth harvests formed two groups and the second, third and fifth formed three. Variation was observed in the group constitutions with the harvesting times. The genetic divergence among mentrasto accessions is related to the development stage as well as the environment where it was estimated.