studies on crossability genetic divergence and resistance to root knot nematode in tuberose

Abstract

newlineSince novelty plays a great role in floriculture, breeding in flower crops can never newlinebe outdated. Despite the availability of innumerable varieties, constant efforts to produce newlinenovel varieties to meet the ever-increasing demand and changing choices as well as to newlinecombat emanating pests and diseases have become obligatory in flower crop research. newlineTuberose, which is one of the major flower crops in India, is not an exception to this. newlineTherefore, the present investigation entitled Studies on crossability, genetic newlinedivergence and resistance to root knot nematode in tuberose (Agave amica Medik. newlineSyn. Polianthes tuberosa L.) was conducted at the Department of Floriculture and newlineLandscape Architecture, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu newlineAgricultural University, Coimbatore during the period June 2017 to Feb 2020. The study newlineconsisted of cross-compatibility and floral biology studies in eight tuberose genotypes newlineand evaluation of seventeen single type and five double type genotypes to assess newlinemorphological and molecular genetic diversity and their reaction to root knot nematode newline(Meloidogyne incognita). newlineThe results of the experiment conducted to assess the crossability and newlinepre-fertilization barriers among eight parental genotypes indicated that out of the 30 newlinecrosses performed, only 12 cross combinations were compatible and resulted in the fruit newlineset. These crosses involved Arka Niranatara, Bidhan Rajani-II (Bidhan Ujwal), newlineGK-T-C-4, Variegated Single and Arka Sugandhi as parents. The highest fruit set per newlinecent (43.69%) was observed in Bidhan Rajani-II and#61645; ArkaNirantara. Studies on selfing newlinerevealed the existence of self-incompatibility in all eight genotypes. However, GK-T-C-4 newlineshowed erratic and unpredictable fruit set at a very low percentage. Pre-fertilization newlinebarrier studies revealed that among the eight genotypes, pollen germination was absent or newlinevery poor under both in vivo and in vitro conditions in Nilakottai Local, Bidhan Rajani-I newline(Bidhan Snigdha) and Phule Rajani. In the case of selfing and