Multivariate Analysis of Leaf Traits in Litchi (Litchi chinensis L.) Genotypes under Eastern Indian Conditions

Abstract

Litchi (Litchi chinensis L.), a member of the family Sapindaceae, is an important subtropical fruit crop with cultivation restricted by specific climatic requirements. Characterisation of available germplasm is therefore important for conservation and genetic improvement. The present study was conducted during 2023-24 in the field gene bank of ICAR-RCER, FSRCHPR, Namkum, Ranchi, to assess genetic diversity among litchi seedling genotypes and parental cultivars using leaf morphological traits. Fifty-two genotypes, comprising 47 seedling-derived selections and five parental cultivars, were evaluated for leaf blade length, leaf blade width, rachis length, petiole length, newly emerged leaf colour, mature leaf colour, leaf blade shape and leaflet number per leaf. Considerable variation was recorded for quantitative and qualitative leaf traits, whereas leaflet number showed comparatively limited variation. Leaf blade length ranged from 10.39 to 16.03 cm, leafblade width from 2.60 to 4.83 cm, rachis length from 3.44 to 9.60 cm and petiole length from 2.48 to 5.01 cm. Rachis length showed the highest coefficient of variation (22%), followed by petiole length (15%), leaf blade width (13.62%) and leaf blade length (10.17%). Leaf blade length was significantly and positively correlated with leaf blade width (r = 0.460**), while rachis length was positively correlated with leaf blade length (r = 0.341*) and petiole length (r = 0.575**). Principal component analysis showed that the first two components accounted for 91.52% of the total variability, with leaf blade length and rachis length contributing strongly to genotype differentiation. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into two major clusters. The findings indicate that leaf traits are useful descriptors for litchi germplasm characterisation and may support the identification of diverse genotypes for future improvement programmes.