Variability and association among floral traits and pollen recovery in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.).

Abstract

Twenty seven coconut accessions comprising eight dwarfs and 19 tall types were studied for floral traits, pollen yield and pollen germination. PCA indicated that the first three principal components accounted for more than 70% of variation and the important traits that contributed to the variation were length of inflorescence, girth of inflorescence stalk, length of spikelet bearing portion, weight of 1000 male flowers (fresh as well as dry), number of spikelets per inflorescence and pollen yield. Pollen germination percentage showed no differences between Tall and Dwarf accessions. PCA indicated that the 27 accessions could be grouped into eight clusters and cluster composition showed absence of geographical affinity. The level of association among the floral traits was estimated. The inflorescence length, length of spikelet bearing portion, length of inflorescence stalk, length of spikelet and fresh and dry weight of 1000 male flowers showed significant correlation with pollen yield. The number of female flowers in an inflorescence showed highly significant positive correlation with the length of spikelet bearing position. The study reveals that selection of accessions based on the inflorescence traits could be advocated as they contribute to the diversity among the coconut genotypes. Selection of accessions from the diverse clusters would help in harnessing higher heterosis and better utilizing the diversity for crop improvement.