Variability studies on certain T X CDO F, hybrids of coconut (Cocos nucifera L)

Abstract

Investigations conducted on variability in 14 F1 parental combinations of T X CDO coconut hybrids at the KADP farm attached to the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara revealed no significant difference between pollen parents in their contribution to the progenies in any of the 17 characters studied, unlike the female parents. The number of spadices was found to be highly correlated with the number of buttons set followed by the number of functional leaves and number of female flowers produced. The fourteen parental combinations were grouped into three clusters using Mahalanobis’ D2 analysis. Clusters I and II were the most divergent ones. Production of spadices and female flowers were found to be high during March, April and May and absent during October, November and December. Heavy rain during active female phase was found to affect setting of button adversely. Fertility and viability of pollen were found to be very high except during April and May due to high temperature.