Studying genetic and phenotypic diversity in ginger germplasm: foundation for breeding strategies

In the present investigation sixteen ginger genotypes were evaluated for two consecutive years (2023 & 2024) under rainfed Shivalik foothill conditions to characterize for genetic and phenotypic diversity and to identify promising genotypes for future breeding programmes. Morphological, yield, and biochemical traits were recorded and analysed using principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. Maximum variation was explained by PCA 1 (36.8%) followed by PCA 2 (15.3%). The first seven principal components explained 90.2% of the total variation, with the leading component dominated by plant vigour and rhizome yield traits, while higher-order components captured key biochemical attributes such as total soluble solids, phenols, flavonoids, oleoresin, and dry matter. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into seven distinct clusters, revealing one highly divergent genotype (PGN-1) with high yield and enhanced quality, Cluster I was with superior in yield, and Cluster IV & VI were characterized by better processing-oriented traits. The results demonstrate substantial diversity in the regional germplasm that can be exploited and also indicated that strategic crossing between high-yielding and quality-rich clusters could generate improved ginger cultivars better suited to the North-Western sub-mountainous region of Punjab.