Variability studies in the seedling progenies of T*D coconut hybrids

Abstract

A study was conducted at the Instructional Farm , Vellanikkara , during 1979-80 with the objective of assessing the extent of variability in the seedling progenies obtained from open pollinated seednuts of tall x Dwarf (F1) palms Seednuts were collected from 30 Tall x Dwarf F1 palms belonging to six family groups and the experiment was laid out in completely randomised design with family groups as treatment and progeny as replication The present investigation emphasised the utility of selection of high yielding West Coast Tall palms in controlled mating for the production of Tall x Dwarf hybrids and showed the stability of superiority of Tall x Dwarf hybrids even under poor environmental conditions. The percentage of vigorous , medium and poor seedlings produced by each (F1) progeny was found to be independent of the productivity of the palm under open pollinated condition . There fore , collection of seednut from high yielding TxD progenies for further propagation should be resorted with great caution . Progenies of the same parent have shown considerable difference in respect of the number of days taken for germination giving an indication of the variability existing in the TXD palme , in their capacity for production of early bearing and high yielding f2 progency. The petiolar colour of the grand parents and f1 progenies were green, while the F2 progenies showed segregation with green , bronze, orange and yellow colour. Four progenies each of grand parents Vlll/23 and l/58, and two progenies each of Vlll/158, I/76, Vlll/143 and 1/109 have been identified as prepotents on the basis of seedling performance . Seasonal variations were noticed on yield, size and weight of nuts. The total chlorophyll content in the leaves of the vigorous seedling which were potential high yielders were found to be high. Early germinated nuts produced seedling having more collar girth and as such greater vigour.