Evaluation of Seed Characters in Open-pollinated Seedling Genotypes of Litchi (Litchi chinensis L.) under Eastern Indian Condition

Abstract

Litchi (Litchi chinensis L.) is one of the most important subtropical fruit crops of the Sapindaceae family. It is highly demanded for its attractive peel colour, juicy aril and nutritional value. Lower seed weight and smaller seed size is the most important characteristic in litchi selection as smaller seed are generally associated with higher pulp recovery. In the field gene bank of ICAR-RCER, FSRCHPR in Ranchi, Jharkhand, a total of 150 Litchi seedlings of LS series of five cultivars—China, Shahi, Purbi, Desi, and Rose scented—were planted at a distance of 10X10 m. The experiment was conducted during 2023-24 and 2024-25 on 47 elite open pollinated seedling population of LS series along with all 5 parental cultivar to evaluate all seed traits. All the quantitative traits like seed length and width were measured by using digital vernier caliper where as seed weight was measured in weighing balance. Seed shape was observed visually by using DUS guideline.   The multivariate analysis was done by using PAST 3 software. The considerable variability of seed traits was observed among the evaluated genotypes, seed length varies from 14.81 to 30.18 mm with average value of 22.24 mm. seed width varied from 7.39 to 19.04 mm with average value of 14.52 mm while the seed weight ranged from 0.50 to 5.38 g with average value of 2.85 g. The highest coefficient of variation was recorded for seed weight (32.99%), indicating highest variability compared to seed length (13.92%) and seed width (14.28%). The cluster analysis revealed significant variability among the studied genotypes. Majorly cluster was divided into two major groups, cluster I and cluster II and further cluster II was re-divided into three more sub-cluster, reflecting varying degree of similarity and divergence. The analysis revealed 99.99% variability from the first three principle components present among the studied traits, PC1 contributed the highest proportion of variation 79.51% followed by PC2 15.08% and PC3 5.41%. Biplot of PC1 and PC2 showed that seedling genotypes such as ICAR-RCER-LS-10/1, ICAR-RCER-LS-13/1, ICAR-RCER-LS-10/10, ICAR-RCER-LS-4/1 and cultivar Purbi were very different from each other. The multivariate analysis effectively differentiated the genotypes and promising genotypes possessing desirable traits. Lower seed weight and smaller seed size genotypes such as ICAR-RCER-LS-4/1, ICAR-RCER-LS-19/10, ICAR-RCER-LS-13/4 and ICAR-RCER-LS-7/1 were identified as the most promising genotypes for further breeding and selection process for developing cultivar with improved pulp recovery and superior fruit quality.