MSc

The project entitled “Intra-varietal variability in Komadan coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), palms" was under taken with an objective toassess the intra-varietal variability in Komadan coconut palms for yield and other attributes. The data for the investigation were collected from two field experiments during the period 2014-16.
In experiment I, 50 Komadan palms in the Instructional Farm, Vellayani, were utilized as the material for the study. The highest number of leaves and spadices per year were observed in palms C9, C19, C20, C21, C23, C31, C32, and C35. The maximum number of nuts per bunch,weight of copra per year, length of leaf and number of leaflets per leaf were recorded in palm C17. The maximum number of nus per palm per year, weight of nuts per year and weight of husked nuts per year were noticed in C32. The highest weight of husked nut and nut equatorial circumference were observed in palm C19. The maximum copra content per nut and endosperm thickness were found in palm C18. The maximum coefficient of variation was recorded for number of female flowers per inflorescence. The colour of midrib was found in four different ranges from moderate olive green to moderate brown and colour of tender coconut fell into five different group.
High positive correlation was recorded for number of nuts per palm per year, with number of leaves per year, number of spadices per year, number of female flowers per inflorescence, number of female flowers per spikelet and number of spikelets per spadix. The principle component analysis revealed that the first four components with Eigen valuegreater than 0.79 contributed about 92.08 per cent of the total variability. The characterssuch as weight of nuts per year, number of nuts per palm per year, weight of husked nuts per year, number of nuts per bunch, weight of nut, copra content per nut and weight of copra per year were the most important ones contributing to the overall variability.
In experiment II, seedling variability among the 100 Komadan seedlings raised in the coconut nursery of Instructional Farm, Vellayani were studied. The seedling S71 showed maximum values for collar girth at nine months age, number of leaves at nine months age and twelve months after sowing. The seedling S68 was found to have maximum height and collar girth at nine months age and number of leaves at nine and twelve months age. The seedling S100 was observed to have the highest collar girth at twelve months age, number of leaves at nine months and twelve months age. The maximum coefficient of variation was recorded for number of leaves at twelve months age.
High significant correlation was noted among eight morphological characters. Number of days for germination was positively correlated with number of days for splitting of leaflets and height of seedlings was positively correlated with collar girth. Number of days for splitting was negatively correlated with collar girth and height of seedlings.
In the present research programme, the yield related parameters in Komadan palms expressed high variability. This variation will provide opportunities tothe breeder for utilization, conservation and further genetic improvement by selection of palms with promising yield related characters.