Genetic Variability Studies in Seed Biochemical Traits of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre Accessions

摘要

A genetic variability study of oil content, fatty acid composition and karanjin content of seeds was carried out in candidate plus trees of Pongamia pinnata from selected agro-ecological zones of southern peninsular India. Significant zonal variation (P < 0.01) for biochemical traits was recorded. Significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) was recorded for latitude with oleic acid. Longitude showed significant negative correlation with palmitic acid and oleic acid. Altitude positively correlated with oleic acid and linolenic acid; negatively correlated with linoleic acid and seed oil content. Phenotypic co-efficient of variation was higher than the genotypic co-efficient of variation for all the biochemical traits. The oleic acid positively correlated with seed oil content (P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with linoleic acid and linolenic acid (P < 0.01). The zone 1, zone 2, zone 3 and zone 4 showed high heritability and genetic advance for oleic acid, linoleic acid and oleic to linoleic acid ratio. Based on Ward's method, the pongamia accessions were grouped into three major clusters and four sub-groups depending on their geographical locations. Further, the results obtained in this study could be used as background information for biofuel programs in India and other tropical countries.