MORPHOPHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BUCKWHEAT LANDRACES TOWARD THE DEVELOPMENT OF GERMPLASM IN BANGLADESH.

The morphological analysis of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is crucial in developing germplasm resources. The study used 19 local common buckwheat landraces to characterize their morphophysiological and yield-related traits for germplasm development. The analysis of variance revealed no statistically significant variations in most morphophysiological and agronomic features, except for plant height and chlorophyll content (SPAD Value). Landraces L7 and L14 stood out for their superior morphological and yield-related traits, while L2 had the highest grain yield per raceme. Employing principal component analysis helped identify key morphological and yield-related traits. The first six principal components accounted for 99% of the total variance, with the first component having the highest Eigenvalues. Cluster analysis assessed the similarities among landraces based on their morphophysiological and agronomic traits. Notably, the distribution of landraces from similar locations often appeared across different clusters, indicating diverse genetic variability. These findings are crucial for selecting suitable landraces for germplasm development in common buckwheat. Additionally, the insights gained into morphophysiological and yield-related variations can help enhance buckwheat breeding programs in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]