Genetic Diversity of Jasmine and its Conservation under Coastal Humid Ecosystem of Goa

Abstract

To contribute to the conservation and management of diversity in different Jasminum species, extensive and continuous surveys were conducted for collection of Jasminum species in a repeatable and systematic matter under the context of conserving precious jasmine germplasm resources of Goa. Characterization of jasmine germplasm accessions were done according to descriptions which are categorized into four groups viz., General plant growth, leaf, flower bud, flowering and flower characteristics. Significant differences were noticed among accessions for various morphological, flowering and floral-quality traits. Results revealed that among the accessions evaluated, J-6 had the longest leaf length(12.5cm) and width(5.93cm). Maximum flower bud diameter(1.14cm) was noticed in accession J-8 whereas shortest(0.264cm) was noticed in J-5. Maximum and minimum bud lengths were recorded in J-8(4.7cm) and J-7(1.84cm) respectively. Flower diameter was recorded the maximum(6.68cm) in J-6 while it was minimum in J-5(1.9cm). Flowers of J-10 had maximum no.of petals/flower (43) whereas lowest(5.0) was found in J-1. Flowers of J-14 had longest corolla tube length(2.70cm) while it was shortest(0.864cm) in J-10. Local jasmine accessions exhibited an incredible range of diversity for various morphological and floral quality traits studied. Thus there is a great scope to exploit the genetic diversity present in local germplasm of jasmines in Goa.