Molecular diversity and phenotyping of selected cashew genotypes of Goa and physiological response of cv Goa 1 to in situ moisture conservation

Abstract

Evaluation of 57 cashew genotypes revealed significant differences among the with newlinerespect to growth and yield attributes. Genotypes such as Karapur-1, Karapur-2, Tiswadi-3, newlineGanje-2 and Red Local were the prominent genotypes with vigourous growth habit under the newlinetall group. Sattari Dwarf and Tiswadi-4 showed less vigorous growth rate under dwarf group. newlineTiswadi-3, Agonda-1, Bardez-9, KN-2/98, Valpoi-7 were observed to show promising results newlinewith respect to yield and yield related characters. newlineVariability studies revealed higher heritability, coupled with higher GCV, PCV and newlinegenetic advance (GA) over mean for number of panicles, sex ratio, nut weight and number newlineof flowering shoots per m2 canopy. newlineTree height, canopy spread, number of leaves per twig, total leaf area per twig, newlinenumber of flowering shoots per m2 canopy, flowering intensity, number of nuts per panicle newlineand nut weight showed strong and significant positive correlation with nut yield per tree both newlineat genotypic and phenotypic levels and hence useful in enhancement of the genetic stock in newlinecashew. newlineNut and kernel characters in PC1, apple characters in PC2, flowering factors in PC3 newlineand growth and yield factors in PC4 accounted for gt50 per cent of total variability. Of the six newlineclusters based on PCA, cluster IV had genotypes with highest nut weight, apple weight, newlinekernel weight and sex ratio, which included Tiswadi-3, Balli-1, Bardez-9, Agonda-1, KN-2/98 newlineand Valpoi-7. newlineRAPD analysis could differentiate all genotypes into two broad groups. While, first newlinegroup comprised of 35 and other comprised of 22 genotypes which inturn grouped the newlinegenotypes into eight and three sub-clusters. newlineThe comparative analysis of clustering pattern based on morphometric and molecular newlinediversity data reflected rather a partial consensus. newlineCultivar Goa-1 showed enhanced physiological response to in situ moisture newlineconservation measures, which was reflected in nut yield differences between the various newlineconservation measures and control. newline