Study of genetic diversity of tolerance to drought stress in chicory ecotypes (Cichorium intybus L.) via multivariate analysis

In order to study of genetic diversity chicory ecotypes in drought stress condition via multivariate analysis an experiment was preformed in factorial form using a completely randomized design with 3 replications at Islamic Azad university, Ahvaz branch in 2013. First factor incompasis 26 chicory ecotypes and second factor five levels of drought treatment (0 ,-2 ,-4 ,-6 and -8 bar), were used by using PEG 6000. Traits germaination percent, germination rate, mean of germination time, radicle length, plumule length, seedling length, radicle/plumule length ratio, wet weight of seedling, dry weight of seedling, wet/dry weight ratio and seed vigor index were studied. Results analysis of variance showed that between ecotypes, drought stress and their interaction for all trait, had siginificant difference. The most positive and significant correlation was between the seeding length and root length. The principal components analysis, 11 studied traits divided to 3 components and according to which 79% of the total variation to be justified. In biplot graphic method to basis the first and second components and cluster analysis; ecotypes of third cluster incompasis 36546, 2398, 15008 and 15084 according to all traits better than of other ecotypes were, therefore this ecotypes compare to other ecotypes tolerance to drough. Based on results of this study, use of this ecotypes for future breeding programs tolerance to drought can be recommended.