Characterization of Identified Distinct Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) Genotypes for Yield-related Morphological Traits in Karnataka

A monotypic genus crop tamarind is one of the important grown in India. The multipurpose tree comprises multiuse in cuisine preparation to medicine. All the parts of the tree have been used in many industries. The present study was conducted to assess the quantum of diversity in seventeen morphological traits of identified distinct 96 tamarind genotypes collected from 30 districts of Karnataka during 2018-19 at College of Horticulture, Bengaluru. The morphological traits including fruit yield/plant were observed. Among major yield attributing morphological traits viz., fruit weight ranged from 4.27-32.45 g, pulp weight ranged from 2.10-15.00 g and fruit yield/plant ranged from 49.50 to 298.50 kg. The genetic variation components viz., PCV ranged from 13.93 to 48.25 while GCV ranged from 12.22 to 47.28. The high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent over mean was observed in the traits such as fruit weight (96%, 91.20%) and seed weight (96%, 95.45%) while moderate heritability and genetic advance as per cent over mean was revealed in fruit yield/plant (78.00 %, 55.83 %). Present study brought out and identified three top best performing tamarind genotypes TAM_KOL4, TAM_BEN(U)3 and TAM_BEN(U)4 expressed higher yield over the check GKVK17 recorded third highest fruit yield/plant but however it was not significant. The selection based on yield related traits and best performing genotypes in terms of fruit yield/plant could be effectively used in tamarind breeding programme.