Journal of Horticultural Sciences

C. Rajamanickam ¹, K. Rajmohan ²

Affiliations
1 Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam – 625 604, IN
2 Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani – 695522, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, IN

Abstract

The present study was aimed at analyzing the genetic diversity of promising banana ecotypes grown in Kerala. Twenty eight ecotypes of banana were collected from different parts of Kerala. DNA isolated from these was used for RAPD analysis. Six most-promising primers viz., OPA-01, OPA-03, OPA-13, OPB-04, OPB-10 and OPB-12 were used. These yielded 46 scorable bands with an average of 7.66 bands per primer. RAPD data were analyzed statistically and a dendrogram was constructed. Twenty three characters were observed in the twenty eight banana ecotypes and were statistically analyzed as per the method proposed by Mahalanobis (D²). From RAPD dendrogram, it was found that the banana clones clustered into fourteen groups at a distance of 0.200. At a distance of 0.250, 8 out of 12 Nendran (AAB group) ecotypes formed a single cluster at the same distance. Among Palayankodan (AAB group) ecotypes PKNNR, Pisang Ceylon, Motta Poovan, Chandra Bale and Palode Palayankodan grouped together and formed a single cluster. Attu Nendran, Monthan, Robusta, Koonoor Ethan, Ilavazha and Vellapalayankodan formed individual clusters and had maximum genetic divergence. Among diploid clones, Ilavazha (BB group) had maximum genetic divergence. Among triploid clones, Attu Nendran, Robusta, Koonoor Ethan and Vellapalayankodan showed maximum genetic divergence. Among Nendran (AAB group) ecotypes, Attu Nendran and Koonoor Ethan revealed maximum genetic divergence. Among Palayankodan (AAB group) ecotypes, Vellapalayankodan recorded the highest genetic divergence. In D² analysis too, a similar trend was observed.

Keywords

Banana, Ecotypes, RAPD, Molecular Markers, D² Analysis, Genetic Divergence.

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C. Rajamanickam ¹, K. Rajmohan ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Fruit Crops, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Periyakulam East – 625 604, IN
2 Department of Pomology and Floricluture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani - 695 522, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Six Palayankodan ecotypes of banana belonging to AAB genomic group were evaluated for genetic variability among quantitative traits. Genetic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance were estimated for eighteen traits that included plant height, pseudostem girth, number of leaves per plant, leaf width, number of suckers per plant, days taken from planting to shooting, total crop duration; length, girth, weight and volume of finger; hand weight, bunch weight, number of fingers per bunch, number of fingers per hand, ripe-fruit weight, sugar/acid ratio and pulp weight. Remarkable variability was observed among the collections for these characters. Bunch weight, number of fingers per bunch and number of suckers per plant with very high value of PCV, GCV, heritability and genetic advance makes it prime traits for direct selection. Plant height, pseudostem girth, total crop duration, sugar:acid ratio, finger length and days taken from planting to shooting with high value of heritability and moderate value of genetic advance. PCV are other important traits which need to be considered for selection. The volume of finger with low values for GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean implies that it is highly influenced by environment and should not be taken as a criterion for selection. Plant height, total crop duration, sugar:acid ratio, finger length, pseudostem girth, number of fingers per bunch and days taken from planting to shooting showed high genetic advance and heritability and important characters to be considered for selection of ecotypes.

Keywords

Banana, Palayankodan, Ecotypes, Heritability, Genetic Advance, PCV, GCV.

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