Provenance variations of morphometrictraits and oil contents of Madhuca latifolia macbride in odisha: Implication for tree improvement

Abstract

Current study assessed the variability of fruit, seed trait and oil content of Madhuca latifolia Macbride from 10 different provenance of Odisha and compared these with climatic features. All fruits and seed traits were measured using a seed calliper; weight measured using a sensitive balance and oil extraction was done through Soxhlet apparatus. Coefficient of variation was calculated to determine the amount of variability between the morphometric traits and Pearson's correlation was performed between morphometric traits, oil characters and climatic factors. The findings of current study revealed significant variations (P<0.05) in all studied traits between the provenances. Increase in temperature was found strongly associated (P<0.01) with higher values of fruit width, thickness, fruit and seed weight. Further, relative humidity was also significantly (P<0.05) correlated with seed, kernel length and fruit weight. With increase altitude, value of fruit width, fruit weight and hilum length decreased while reverse was true for increase in latitude and longitude. Higher rainfall was associated with greater per cent of fatty acid and more iodine value. Among the provenances, P6 (Nabarangpur) ranked 1st in all fruit, seed and oil traits and therefore result of study recommended the use of seeds from this source for oil extraction and commercial use, and for further tree improvement.