Identification of plus trees through morpho-biochemical characterization in tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.)

DOI: 10.37992/2025.1601.001

  • Mrithyunjay Nandakumar,
  • A. C. Asna,
  • Jalaja S Menon,
  • J. S. Minimol and,
  • Jiji Joseph

Abstract

Morpho-biochemical characterization was conducted to identify superior genotypes (plus trees) of Tamarindus indica L. across diverse agro-climatic zones in Palakkad, Kerala. Thirty seedling-origin trees were evaluated for 28 morphological traits and five biochemical parameters. Significant phenotypic variation was observed across all assessed traits, indicating substantial genetic diversity within the population. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between pod weight, pod length, and seed weight per pod and fibre percentage (p < 0.05), while spread of corolla exhibited significant correlation with fibre percentage and TSS. Hierarchical cluster analysis categorized the genotypes into four distinct groups, with Cluster I demonstrating superior yield and quality attributes. Five elite genotypes (KTJ 166, KTJ 164, KTJ 162, KTJ 174, and KTJ 165) were identified as plus trees based on comprehensive trait evaluation. KTJ 166 exhibited exceptional pod characteristics, including maximum pod weight (42.17 g), pod length (24.08 cm), seed weight per pod (13.82 g), and seeds per pod (10.13). KTJ 162 demonstrated superior pulp percentage (55.8%) and total antioxidant capacity (55.78 mg AAE/g), while KTJ 48 recorded the highest total soluble solids (85.97°Brix) and total sugar content (41%). These identified elite genotypes represent valuable germplasm for breeding programs, offering significant potential for genetic improvement of yield, nutritional quality, and commercial traits in tamarind.

Keywords: Tamarind, correlation, floral characters, hierarchical clustering, morpho-biochemical characters, pod weight

Published
08-04-2025
How to Cite
Mrithyunjay Nandakumar, A. C. Asna, Jalaja S Menon, J. S. Minimol and, Jiji Joseph

Identification of plus trees through morpho-biochemical characterization in tamarind Tamarindus indica L.

. 2025. Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 16 1, 01-11. Retrieved from https://ejplantbreeding.org/index.php/EJPB/article/view/5287
Issue
Vol 16 No 1 (2025): EJPB
Section
Research Article

It is certified that:

  • The corresponding author is fully responsible for any disputes arising due to the publication of his/her manuscript.
  • The article has been seen by all the authors who are satisfied with its form and content.
  • The sequence of names of authors in the by-line is as per their relative contribution to this experiment, giving due credit to all scientists who made notable contribution to it.
  • All the authors fully understand that inclusion of any other co-authors or exclusion of any co-authors is not possible once the article has been submitted to the journal.
  • The corresponding author takes full responsibility for this article.
  • The address of the organization where the research was conducted is given.
  • The article is exclusive for this journal, and the results reported here have not been sent (and will not be sent during its consideration by this journal) for publication in any other journal.
  • Authors agree to abide by the objective comments of referees and do agree to modify the article into a short note as per the recommendation, for publication in the Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding.
  • If published in Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, the copyright of this article would vest with the Indian Society of Plant Breeders, who will have the right to enter into any agreement with any organization in India or abroad engaged in reprography, photocopying, storage and dissemination of information contained in it, and neither we nor our legal heirs will have any claims on royalty.