MSc

ABSTRACT
The study entitled “Palynological and cross compatibility studies in anthurium (Anthurium andreanum Linden)” was conducted at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2018-2020.The research programme was undertaken to assess the floral and pollen characteristics and to study the cross compatibility of commercially important anthurium genotypes.
In experiment I, five commercially important varieties viz., Hawaiian Orange(HO), Lima White(LW), Liver Red(LR), Tropical Pink(TP) and Tropical Red(TR) and five superior hybrids maintained in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics viz., Lady Jane x Orange Glory (LJ x OG), Hounduras Red x Kalympong Red (HoR x KR), Honeymoon Red x Miniature Red (HR x MR), Pompon Red x Honeymoon Red (PR x HR) and Orange Glory x Nitta Orange (OG x NO) were assessed in completely randomized design with five replications. The important floral and pollen traits were evaluated and their mean values were calculated. The statistical analysis was carried out including analysis of variance (ANOVA) and estimation of genetic parameters such as genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), heritability (H2) and genetic advance (GA).
Palynological studies revealed that Liver Red was the highest pollen producing genotype with the maximum values of pollen fertility, viability and size. The highest genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were recorded for character life of spadix in plant. All the characters studied exhibited high genetic advance. High heritability (>60%) coupled with high genetic advance (>20%) were observed in characters like life of spadix in plant, inclination of candle with spathe and vase life. This indicates that these characters are controlled by additive gene action.
In experiment II, hybridization was done among the five commercially important varieties and five superior hybrids based on the pollen availability as well as the receptivity of stigma. Thirty five crosses were attempted, out of which fourteen were successful. The successful crosses obtained were TR x (PR x HR), (LJ x OG) x LR, (HoR x KR) x LW, TP x (PR x HR), (HoR x KR) xTP, (HoR x KR )x HO, (HoR
x KR ) x LR, (HoR x KR )x TR, (PR x HR) x LW, (LJ x OG) x TR and TR x (HR x MR).The compatibility analysis of these crosses were done based on the fruit set.
Spadix bearing berries ranged from 0 to 100 percentage. The highest percentage of spadix bearing fruits was found in the hybrid (HoR x KR). The cross (LJ x OG) x LR was observed with the maximum number of fruits per spadix and fruit set per candle and the lowest was recorded in the cross (HoR x KR) x HO. The crosses (PR x HR) x LW, TR x (HR x MR) and TP x (LJ x OG) expressed 100 % single seeded berries.The cross (HoR x KR) x TR exhibited the maximum seed size among the double seeded berries and in single seeded berries, (HoR x KR) x LR had the highest seed size. The maximum days for maturity was observed by the crosses (LJ x OG) x LW and TP x (PR x HR) and the minimum recorded for cross (HoR x KR) x LR.
The results of the present study revealed that there is variation among the anthurium genotypes in the floral and pollen characteristics. The best pollen producing parents were found to be Liver Red, Tropical Red and Lima White. The best female parents were found to be (HoR x KR), (LJ x OG) and Tropical Red. The most compatible cross obtained from the study was (LJ x OG) x LR followed by TR x (PR x HR). The best hybrid combinations obtained in the present study can be utilised for further crop improvement programmes in the future.