Study of association among the yield and its contributing traits in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Introduction

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a dry land oilseed crop from the Asteraceae family, genus Carthamus, tribe Tubiflorae, sub division Angiosperm, division Phanerogams (Singh and Nimbkar, 2005) [18] . A diploid (2n= 24) crop. It is most commonly known as 'kusum' in India, derived from the Sanskrit, 'kusumbha' (Chavan, 1961) [4] , and as 'honghua' (red flower) in China. Also, known as bastard saffron, fake saffron, thistle saffron, and dyers saffron all are the terms for a less expensive saffron replacement (Weiss, 1983) [20] . Safflower is highly demanded for its seed oil it contains both high linoleic acid, (where 64-79 percent of total fatty acids) and high oleic acid (where 10-81 percent of total fatty acid). (Purkayasth, 2017; Linthoi 2022) [16,11] . Dried petals of safflower have therapeutic value and are being extensively used in preparation of herbal medicines. Safflower is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) that helps in reducing the cholesterol level in blood (Katkade et al., 2018) [10] . Being an often-cross pollinated crop (4-10% outcrossing), it is dependent on bees and other insects for allogamy. Anemophily however play a negligible role in seed setting. Common forms of developed achene contain 33-60% hulls and 40-60% kernels. The whole seed has an oil content of 20% to 40% or higher. Correlation coefficients, in general, reflect the strength of linear relationships and correlations between independent features. However, as correlation coefficients can only give a primitive explanation of relationships. The components and interactions of the yield have a big impact on safflower breeding. (Purkayasth and Shrivastava, 2020) [15] .

Materials and Methods

The current research work took place in research cum instructional farm of IGKV, Raipur (C.G). during rabi 2022-23. The experimental material for studies comprises 23 genotypes including four checks A-1, ISF-1, ISF-764 and PBNS-12. The research work was set up in randomise complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. Each genotype was raised in a plot of 1.35 m x 5 m in scale. The row to row spacing was 45 cm and plot to plot spacing 20 cm were maintained for each replication. Crop was sown under irrigated condition 1 st irrigation was given at the time of sowing and then 2 more irrigation was given at the time of 60 days stage i.e, initiation of branching stage and the start of flowering phase of crop development. Normal recommended doses of fertilizers, i.e, 40N: 40P: 20K, were used.

Results and Discussions

The GCV and PCV were estimated in parameters like no. of primary branches (13, 18), no. of capitula per plant (13,17), plant height (5.58, 7.79), and 100 seed weight (16.98, 18.63) showed the highest levels of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation. The data suggested that these traits exhibit a high degree of genotypic-specific variability. For traits like biological yield per plant (21.30, 22.72), seed yield per plant (21.98, 22.94) and oil content (9.83, 9.97), the level of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation appears to be at its lowest. The findings of Mahajan et al. (2009) [13] ; Sahoo et al, (2022) [17] are being supported by the current findings. High heritability in addition with high GA as % of mean for the traits expected in next generation indicate the preponderance of additive gene action for the expression of these traits which is fixable in subsequent generation. These results find the support of earlier studies by Camas and Esendal (2006) [3] ; Shivani et al. (2010) [19] ; Bhamnakar et al. (2014) [2] ; Muhammad et al. (2020) [12] for traits number of primary branches per plant, 100 seed weight(g), biological yield per plant, seed yield per plant and harvest index (%). The author suggested that these parameters were under additive gene effect. This also indicated that these parameters could be manipulated according to requirement and worthwhile achievement could be achieved through selection. Low heritability coupled with low genetic advance was observed in volume weight (g/100 ml), days to 50% flowering and days to maturity, indicated non-additive genetic effect governing the traits. To select effective breeding strategies, such as parent selection, it is important to have an understanding of the relationship between yield and the qualities that contribute to it. The genotypic correlation coefficient provides a tight level of association that can be useful among the features to the entire enhanced plants, whilst the phenotypic correlation coefficients help to determine the selection index. The seed yield per plant showed significant positive correlation with days to 50% flowering (0.364*), number of primary branches per plant (0.241*), number of capitulum per plant (0.340*), biological yield per plant (0.778*), harvest index (0.300*) and volume weight(0.335*), but showed significant negative correlation with oil content(-0.238*). The oil content exhibited significant positive correlation with number of primary branches per plant (0.237*), whereas negative correlation with 100 seed weight(-0.681**), seed yield per plant (-0.238*), harvest index(-0.405**), and volume weight (-0.255). This indicated that seed yield can be improved through selection based on days to 50% flowering, number of primary branches per plant, number of capitulum per plant, biological yield per plant, harvest index and volume weight. And for improvement in oil content traits like 100 seed weight, seed yield per plant, harvest index and volume weight should be selected against. The present results confirming the findings of Shivani et al. (2010) [19] ; Golkar et al., (2012) [8] ; Hussain et al. (2014) [9] ; Dambal and Patil (2016) [5] ; Muhammad et al. (2020) [12] ; Pattar and Patil (2020) [14] ; Purkaystha & Srivastava (2020) [15] Table 1: Genetic parameter of yield and its contributing traits in safflower (rabi 2022-23)

Conclusions

The value of PCV were higher than then the values of GCV indicated the various amount of influence of environment in different traits existed which also confirmed by percentage of heritability. Traits like number of primary branches, 100 seed weight, biological yield, seed yield per plan and oil percentage had high heritability indicating stable inheritance of these traits from generations without much influence of environment.

While days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and plant height had minimum heritability i.e., much influenced by environment.

Association studies indicated that seed yield per plant is positively correlated with days to 50% flowering, number of primary branches per plant, number of capitulum per plant, biological yield per plant, harvest index, and volume weight while shows significant negative association with oil content.

References

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