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Abstract
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This experiment aimed to investigate the morphological diversity among twenty purslane genotypes from various areas of Iran. A high coefficient of variation was observed for the number of flowers per branch, the number of flowers per plant per branch, the dry-to-fresh weight ratio, and the number of capsules per branch. Cluster analysis based on morphological traits grouped the genotypes into four distinct clusters, with no apparent association to their geographical origins. Clusters I, II, and III contained high yielding genotypes, whereas Cluster IV included two genotypes with superior reproductive and quality traits but lower overall yield performance. This suggests that cluster-specific traits can guide parental selection for hybridization based on breeding objectives such as yield enhancement or quality improvement. Additionally, trait-based dendrogram analysis divided the measured traits into four functional groups: seed and length characteristics, leaf and capsule traits, flower and ratio traits, and yield and yield components. This classification offers further insight into the interrelationships of traits and their contributions to plant performance. The considerable morphological variation observed across these genotypes suggests significant potential for selective breeding aimed at improving specific characteristics, such as fresh and dry yield, seed production, and plant architecture, thereby enhancing both the release of cultivars and a resource for genetic improvement in future breeding programs.
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