DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability) Descriptor‐Based Multivariate Analysis Reveals Morphological Diversity and Breeding Potential in Gladiolus ( Gladiolus L.) Genotypes

Precise characterisation of genotypes helps identify distinct morphological traits, minimise varietal mixtures and select suitable genotypes for hybridisation. The present study was conducted at Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (H.P.), during 2022–2023, involving morphological characterisation of 14 gladiolus genotypes using 66 distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) descriptors standardised by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA). The experiment was conducted in a randomised block design with three replications. A considerable amount of variability was detected for the studied vegetative, floral and corm traits with genotypes showing maximum variation for 21 traits comprising three continuous variables: plant height, corm weight before and after storage which subsequently contributed maximum to variability, that is, 4.24%, 4.23% and 4.35% respectively along dimension 1, and several categorical variables with anther: colour of stomium (6.09%) and outer bract: anthocyanin colouration (5.91%) as key contributors along dimension 2, as confirmed by factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD). The first five dimensions accounted for >60% of the total variation, with dimensions 1 and 2 explaining 17.4% and 13.9%, respectively. Hierarchical Clustering on Principal Components (HCPC) grouped the genotypes into seven clusters, whereas unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) generated three major clusters, with considerable similarity in grouping. Genotypes from distinct clusters may serve as potential parents for hybridisation. Classification based on DUS descriptors, combined with multivariate analyses, can facilitate reliable reference collections, minimise misidentification, maintain germplasm purity and identify genetically diverse genotypes for future breeding programmes.