This study was conducted to evaluate genetic variations among Korarima genotypes. Cluster analysis based on Euclidean distances was carried out with 25 Korarima genotypes to assess the genetic diversity for agronomic and quality traits. The Unweighted Pair Group Average using Arithmetic Mean as linkage rule was used for the analysis of the distances between clusters. The genotypes were evaluated for 17 agronomic and quality traits and expressed ample genetic variability. The genetic distances estimated by Euclidean distance (ED) varied from 2.53 to 10.8 with a mean distance of 5.66 and standard deviation of 1.23. The clustering based on Euclidian distance matrix grouped the 25 genotypes into seven distinct clusters. In conclusion, the genotypes were diverse with wide range of variations for most seed and dry capsule yield, yield related characters and seed quality that could be exploited to bring improvement either through direct selection and crossing of most distant genotypes from different clusters. The evidences obtained from this finding can be exhaustively used to design crosses and boost the use of genetic diversity and manifestation of heterosis.

Keywords: Aframomum corrorima, Euclidean distance, Dry capsule yield, Genetic diversity, Zingiberaceae and Korarima.