Identification and evaluation of diverse genotypes in Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre. for genetic improvement in seed traits

Pongamia (Pongamia pinnata [L.] Pierre.) Is a highly cross pollinated species and exhibits a wide spectrum of variation in the pod and seed traits. An evaluation of twenty-four Candidate Plus Trees [CPTs] of pongamia was carried out to elucidate the extent of genetic variability, correlation available among the pod and seed traits for diversity analysis and use in breeding. Eleven CPTs were promising for 100-pod weight, seed length, 100-seed weight and oil content. CPT – 19 had good combination for seven traits viz. pod length [65.5 mm], 100- pod weight [541.3 g], 2D surface area [348.7 mm2], seed length [27.7 mm], seed breadth [17.4 mm], 100-seed weight [202.3 g] and oil content [28.5 %]. This would be an important genotype to follow further and use in breeding program. CPT – 14 showed the lowest expression for 100-seed weight [107.6 g] and oil content [28.5 %]. High estimates of heritability and high genetic advance observed for 100-pod weight, 100-seed weight and oil content, indicated the possibility of their improvement by selection. Oil content was particularly correlated at genotypic and phenotypic levels with 100-seed weight [rg = 0.62, rp = 0.58] and 100-pod weight [0.50, 0.46]. The first four Principal Component [PCs] explained large portion [86.4 %] of the total variation. Cluster analysis resulted into two broad clusters with cluster-1 having 6 CPTs and cluster-2 having 18 CPTs. Six CPTs in cluster-1 [CPT – 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 19] had combination of desirable traits and can be directly selected for further improvement by breeding.