Browsing by Author "Aiswarya, P"

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    Characterization and compatibility studies in waterlily (Nymphaea spp.)
    (Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture , Vellayani, 2024-02-27) Aiswarya, P; Sheena, A
    The research programme entitled ‘Characterization and compatibility studies in waterlily (Nymphaea spp.)’ was carried out in the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram during the period 2022-2023 to evaluate the performance of thirty waterlily varieties based on growth, flowering and floral attributes. Out of the thirty waterlily varieties, flowering was observed in 28 varieties viz., Micrantha, Chompu, Taweekan, Bull’s Eye, Hilary, Doris Holt, Carla Sonshine, Siam Jasmine, Wanvisa, Mexicana, King of Siam, Blue Whistle, Purple Joy, Dauben, Poonsub, Clyde Ikins, Virginalis, Peach Blow, Islamorada, Siam Pink, Supranee Pink, Jalueang Sub, Tropic Sunset, Miami Rose, Colorado, Almost Black, Paranee, Siam Amber, Perry’s Baby Red. The flower of Nymphaea exhibited strong protogyny, wherein they expressed stigma receptivity on the initial day, followed by the release of pollen on the subsequent two days. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the 21 genotypes for all the floral characters except for days to appearance of flower bud and days to flower opening. Significant varietal differences were observed among the thirty genotypes with respect to the vegetative characters. Among the vegetative characters, the highest PCV was recorded for number of leaves (30.04 per cent) and the lowest for the longevity of the leaf (16.59 per cent). The number of leaves exhibited the highest GCV (27.31 per cent) and the lowest for the number of days from visual observation to full expansion of leaf lamina (8.03 per cent). Maximum PCV and GCV were observed for number of leaves per plant (PCV 30.04% and GCV 27.31%) followed by length of lamina (PCV 20.71% and GCV 20.53%) and minimum PCV and GCV for longevity of leaves (16.59 and 8.36 per cent respectively). Among the floral characters, number of petals recorded the highest PCV (74.25%) and GCV (74.49%) followed by width of petal with PCV (27.42%) and GCV (27.61%). The minimum PCV and GCV were observed for the length of flower bud (7.14 per cent and 7.47 per cent). The genotypes were grouped into four clusters based on vegetative quantitative characters (length of lamina, width of lamina, number of leaves per plant, longevity of leaves, petiole diameter and number of days from visual appearance to full expansion of leaf lamina). Cluster 1 comprised of 13 genotypes, cluster 2 comprised of 15 genotypes, cluster 3 and 4 comprised of 1 genotype each. Maximum inter cluster distance with respect to vegetative characters was observed between C1 and C 3 which is 18.48 while minimum distance between C 2 and C 4 which is 7.94. The genotypes were grouped into five clusters based on floral quantitative characters (length of flower bud, flower diameter, length of sepal, breadth of sepal, number of petals, length of petal and breadth of petal). The Cluster 1 composed of 3 genotypes, cluster 2 composed of 5 genotypes, cluster 3 composed of 7 genotypes, cluster 4 composed of 4 genotypes and cluster 5 composed of 2 genotypes. Maximum inter cluster distance among the floral characters was observed between the clusters C2 and C3 which is 75.19 and minimum distance between C1 and C3 which is 7.36. The greater the distance between two clusters the greater is the divergence between genotypes belonging to the two clusters and vice versa. All the genotypes exhibited four consecutive days of anthesis. The anthesis timings of waterlily flowers were affected by environmental factors. Cloudy and rainy weather conditions led to delayed flower opening and early flower closing. Significant variations were observed in the number and length of stamens in all the varieties, except in King of Siam and Taweekan where stamen production was not observed. The majority of the studied pollen displayed a prolate spheroidal shape and fell within the medium-sized category. Highest pollen fertility was observed in the varieties Doris Holt (84%) followed by Peach Blow (73%), Hilary (68%), Micrantha (65%), and Bull’s Eye (48%) and these varieties were selected as the male parent for the compatibility study. Based on preliminary hybridization, maximum stigma receptivity was observed for the varieties Poonsub, Wanvisa, Siam Amber, Siam Jasmine and Blue Whistle and these varieties were selected as the female parent for the compatibility study. Maximum percentage of fruit set were observed when Siam Amber x Doris Holt (100%) followed by Poonsub x Micrantha (80%) and Poonsub x Wanvisa (80%). The fruit weight and seed size of Siam Amber x Doris Holt was larger compared to other varieties. The hybrid seeds took eight days for germination and they flowered in 25 to 29 days. The hybrid plants are in flowering, near flowering and pre flowering stages. Vegetative and floral characters of the hybrids that flowered when compared with their parents, revealed variations in the parameters studied. The hybrids obtained in the present study can be further assessed for floral attributes and selected for cultivation