Divergence of seed quality and storability traits in Pongamia genotypes

Abstract

Pongamia is an important renewable resource for biodiesel production. Evaluation of this legume tree will provide an insight in the understanding ways to improve seed storability through breeding and enable us to meet the future seed demand for taking up of afforestation programme. Twenty four Pongamia pinnata accessions were collected from M/s Tree Oils India Limited, Zaheerabad and evaluatedfor sixteen seed quality parametersand grouped into 6 clusters. The genotypes in cluster II showed more number of accessions (17) followed by cluster I (3) and remaining clusters showed one accession each. There is a wide genetic diversity existed between cluster IV (TOIL13) and III (TOIL17), followed by cluster I (TOIL 2, 19 and 9) and IV (TOIL13) and crosses between genotypes of these clusters may result in substantial seggregates. Cluster II exhibited high cluster means for 9 characters. Traits like seedling vigour index-II and seed germination after aging and initial speed of germination contributed more towards genetic diversity in pongamia genotypes for seed storability.

Keywords

• Clustering
• Divergence
• Pongamia
• Seed Quality
• Storability