Evaluation of super mother palms of coconut by seedling progeny analysis

Abstract

Seedling progeny analysis was conducted in super mother palms of coconut (annual yield not less than 3Q0 nuts) in comparison with control mother palms (average mother palms with annual yield not less than 60 nuts). The aim was to evaluate these super palms for their prepotent ability to produce quality seedlings. The super mother palms were selected from different locations in Trivandrum and Quilon districts, and from the same locations, control mother palms were also selected. A seed lo t froi north Kerala (Badagara) collected by the State Department of Agriculture was also included. Observations were recorded on mother palms, samples on seed nuts collected from these palms, and on seedlings raised in a replicated field trial. Critical analysis of the compiled data showed super mother palms to be significantly superior to control palms In number of bunches and nuts per bunch. But the two types of mother palms failed to show significant differences in nut., and seedling characters. Among super palms, T4 showed superiority over rest of palms in mother palm, seed nut, and seedling characters. This super palm also registered the highest recovery of quality seedlings indicating its superior prepotent ability. Estimates on recovery of quality seedlings from total number of seed nuts was found to be more reliable than the recovery from total number of seedlings, as a measure of prepotency. Selection of super mother palms as prepotent trees, on the basis of nut yield alone was found to be non-viable Instead, a balance between nut size and number of nuts per bunch is sought. Significant correlations between seedling vigour index and seed nut characters (weight of unhusked nut, husked nut, and meat) led to elucidation of the linear relationships between vigour Index and seed nut characters for use as ready reckoners for improving mother palm selection programme. Significant correlations between seedling vigour index and seed nut characters (weight of unhusked nut, husked nut, and meat) led to elucidation of the linear relationships between vigour Index and seed nut characters for use as ready reckoners for improving mother palm selection programme. Studies on genetic parameters showed that a high amount of genetic factor is Involved in the expression of seed nut characters (weight of unhusked nut, husked nut, and meat) and seedling characters (germination percentage, height, girth-at-collar, number of leaves, leaf area, and age at leaf splitting) as evidenced by high GCV, heritability, coheritability and genotypic correlation values. The results obtained in this seedling progeny analysis will get absolute confirmation only on completion of an adult Progeny analysis