Genetic diversity analysis in ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal] genotypes

Genetic diversity among 25 Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) accessions of different geographic origin was assessed using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. Observations revealed significant genotypic differences and accordingly genotypes were classified into five clusters. Cluster II was the largest comprising about 12 genotypes or 48% of the genotypes belonged to this cluster followed by cluster V and IV which contained 6 and 4 genotypes. The clusters I and III each had only 2 and 1 genotype, respectively.