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The aim of the study was to assess the genetic diversity of 27 rye (Secale cereale L.) accessions by using multivariate statistical methods. The experiment was carried in the block method with 3 replications on plots of 2.5 m² during 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 growing seasons. Nine qualitative and fifteen quantitative morpho-agronomical characters were evaluated. General Shannon-Weaver diversity index for all included in the study traits was moderate (H' = 0.631). The analysis of variance exhibited the presence of significant differences among the tested genotypes for all quantitative characters indicating the existence of variability. The high heritability with high genetic advance was recorded for leaf area of a flag leaf, leaf area of a sub-flag leaf, weight of the main spike, weight of the grain in the main spike, number of spikelets in the main spike and grain yield combined indicating that they are important characters to be considered for selection and improvement of Secale cereale L. Cluster analysis based on the Between groups linkage and Squared Euclidean Distance grouped the genotypes into six clusters. The highest distance values were measured for the following pair wise genotype combinations: B4000206-B7000123, B4000205-B7000123 and B4000210-B7000123. The first 8 principal components explained a very large proportion of the total variation (81.80%). The results of the study will be useful for the breeding improvement programs of rye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in the period 2015-2017 in the experimental field of IRGR "K. Malkov" Sadovo. The elements of productivity of 24 varieties and lines of triticale (X. Triticosecale Wittmacks) were studied. The degree of variation of each of the indicators of productivity is determined by calculating a coefficient of variation. The results obtained show that the most variable indicator is the weight of grains in the central spike whereas the slightest variation is observed in the parameters of test weight and 1000 grains weight. Hierarchical cluster analysis and analysis of the main components (PC-analysis) are applied to assess the genetic similarity and distance between the different varieties. As a result of the clustering the studied samples were divided into six groups. The varieties Trit 32/6 and KS 60 are characterized with the greatest genetic proximity, followed by line BGR 30071 with the Bulgarian variety Rozhen. The largest genetic difference was reported between line BGR 30816 and variety KT 81. The applied analysis of the main components shows that the components PC 1, PC 2 and PC 3 explain 70.6% of the total variation of all traits by genotypes. The largest numbers of samples (9) belong to component 3, as four of them are located in the negative values of PC 3, and the other five genotypes are in the positive values of PC 3. Component 1 is represented by eight samples, and component 2 includes seven triticale genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]