Genetic divergence in khirni (Manilkara hexandra) under semi- arid ecosystem of western India

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of 30 genotypes of khirni [Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard], at Experimental Farm of Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-CIAH), Vejalpur, Panchmahals (Godhra), Gujarat under rainfed hot semi-arid ecosystem of western India during 2011-14. The results of study revealed that the different genotypes of khirni exhibited considerable variation for vegetative, floral, yield and physicochemical characters. The vegetative growth in terms of plant height, rootstock girth, scion girth, plant spread (East-West) and plant spread (North-South) varied between 2.50-5.54 m, 30.12-53.45 cm, 26.12-44.42 cm, 2.10-5.10 m and 2.30-5.20 m, respectively. Number of leaves/shoot varied between 10.12-16.12. The period of flowering was recorded in November-December in all the genotypes. Pollen viability and pollen germination ranged from 84.23-94.86% and 15.00-23.56% respectively, being highest in CHESK-10. Fruit set per cluster ranged from 2.00 to 3.70 being highest in CHESK-10. Peak period of ripening in majority of the genotypes was recorded in May. Maximum fruit yield (10.10 kg/plant), fruit weight (5.20 g), pulp (87.50%), TSS (24.73° Brix), total sugar (17.80%) and carotene (6.80 mg/100 g) was recorded in CHESK-10. Based on the horticultural traits studied, the genotypes, CHESK-10, CHESK12, CHESK-15 and CHESK-4 were found to be promising under rainfed hot semi-arid conditions of western India. The genotype CHESK-10 was released as variety named as Thar Rituraj.

Necessity of genetic diversity study and conservation practices in chironji (Buchanania cochinchinensis (Lour.) M.R. Almedia)

“…Later several surveys were carried out for assessing the genetic diversity present in its growing areas throughout the country by several researchers like Singh and Chaturvedi (1983) and Chadhar and Sharma (1997). Singh et al (2006b) conducted an extensive survey during 2004 -2005 in Gujarat for exploring its genetic diversity under semi-arid conditions. They identified thirty (30) candidate plus trees (CPTs) of the species which were propagated vegetatively and utilized under tree improvement programs (Singh et al, 2016).…”

“…Singh et al (2006b) conducted an extensive survey during 2004 -2005 in Gujarat for exploring its genetic diversity under semi-arid conditions. They identified thirty (30) candidate plus trees (CPTs) of the species which were propagated vegetatively and utilized under tree improvement programs (Singh et al, 2016). Out of identified CPTs, CPT1, CPT5, CPT10, CPT15, CPT17, CPT19 and CPT22 showed early flowering (first week of February) while CPT13 showed late flowering (last week of February).…”

Influence of priming on germination of khirni seedlings (Manilkara hexandra L.)

“…The tree is about 15-18 metre tall with grey bark, glabrous branchlets, leaves 5-13 cm long, shiny, alternate leaves that are sometimes crowded together at the ends of branchlets and prominent scars. (Sanjay et al, 2017) [22] . Mostly seeds are used to propagate khirni.…”