Evaluation of selected sankhupushpam (Clitoria ternatea L.) lines for yield, alkaloid content and nodulation

Abstract

The present study entitled 'Evaluation of selected Sankhupushpam (Clitoria ternatea L.) lines for yield, alkaloid content and nodulation' was carried out at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from June to December 2000. Six superior lines evolved from a preliminary screening of genetic stock conducted by Nair (2000) were raised under shade, as an intercrop in coconut garden and in open as a pure crop. Various biometric observations were taken at four different stages of plant growth, viz., pre-flowering (45 DAS), flowering (90 DAS), seed formation (135 DAS) and seed maturation (180 DAS) stages. These included observations on shoot yield, root yield and pod yield. Nodule characteristics were also recorded. Phytochemical analysis was carried out after harvest of the crop to estimate the crude alkaloid content in the seeds of each accession. Analysis of the results revealed maximum shoot yield for MP-73 and MP-8I under shade and open conditions respectively. The highest pod yield was recorded for MP-76 under shade and for MP-73 under open condition. Root yield on fresh weight basis was found to be the highest for MP-76 under shade and MP-74 under open condition. On dry weight basis, root yield was maximum for MP-74 under shade and for MP-8I under open condition. Maximum nodulation at flowering stage was observed in MP-73 and MP-7& under shade and open conditions respectively. MP-73 and MP-76

recorded higher crude alkaloid content in seeds under shade condition. In open, maximum crude alkaloid was obtained in MP-73. Both yield and nodulation were found to be higher under open condition whereas the crude alkaloid content showed no significant variation between shade and open conditions. From the study, the accessions MP-73 (Thiruvattar White) and MP-76 (Vattiyoorkavu White) were found to show superior performance under both conditions.