Assessment of genetic potential of coconut Cocos nucifera L hybrids grown in littoral sandy soil of Odisha

Abstract

The research work entitled quotAssessment of genetic potential of coconut (Cocos newlinenucifera L.) hybrids grown in littoral sandy soil of Odishaquot was conducted over two years, newline2020-21 and 2021-22, at AICRP on Palms, OUAT, Konark, Puri. The study aimed to evaluate newline12 coconut hybrids and 2 tall high yielding varieties for various characteristics, including per newlinese performance, best hybrid for oil yield and tender nut purposes, genetic variability for yield newlineand yield attributing characters, character association and path analysis of yield along with yield newlineattributing traits and genetic diversity. newlineThe results of the study revealed substantial variation among the genotypes for growth newlineparameters. Palm height varied significantly from 5.26 m to 6.74 m and palm girth at 100 cm newlinefrom base ranged from 74.83 cm to 101.71 cm. The maximum number of functional leaves per newlinepalm (34.71) was recorded in LCOT × COD followed by COD × WCT (34.28), while ECT × newlineGBGD (12.80) and COD × WCT (12.72) exhibited the highest annual leaf production rates. newlineCOD × WCT had the longest leaf length (493.39 cm) while GBGD × PHOT (106.30 cm) and newlineWCT × GBGD (106.72 cm) exhibited the shortest petiole lengths. Significant variation was newlinealso observed in floral characteristics and yield attributes. WCT × MYD had the highest leaflet newlinecount (215.37). GBGD × PHOT had the highest inflorescence production rate (12.12/year), newlinewith COD × WCT producing the most nuts per palm per year (103.86) and exhibiting the newlinehighest fruit set (35.05%). The coconut hybrids ECT × MYD, WCT × GBGD and COD × WCT newlineshowed the highest copra weight per nut, copra output per palm and hectare per year and oil newlinecontent. Particularly, WCT x GBGD yielded maximum copra per palm and hectare per year newline(20.64 kg/palm/year and 3612.09 kg/ha/year, respectively) and oil output per palm and hectare per newlineyear (13.81 kg/palm/year and 2417.47 kg/ha/year, respectively). Maximum length of tender and newlinemature nut was recorded in MYD × ECT (18.75 cm and 21.33 cm, respectively) and breadth in newlineCOD × WCT (12.70 cm and14.81 cm, respectively).