Evaluation of local cultures of safed musli (Chlorophytum borivillianum) for morphological parameters

Material and Methods

The experimental materials consisted of sixteen germplasm accession of (Chlorophytum borivilianum) planting material of safed musli have been collected from Nagarjuna medicinal and aromatic plants garden, Dr.PDKV Akola, during kharif season 2022 with the major objective of to evaluate safed musli cultures for morphophysiological cultures for morphophysiological traits, the accession were raised in randomized block design (RBD) with two replications. Each accession was raised no. of rows per entry ten by adopting a spacing of 30cm×10cm for proper growth and development of tubers, raised beds were prepared sowing done on 2 nd July 2022 and tuber were sown by dibbling method. After the germination, gap filling was completed on 25 th July, 2022. Then after full emergence thining was carried out so as to maintain required no. of plants plot -1 . When the leaves started yellowing and dried up from the collar part and fell off, at this time the crop was harvested. All the recommended agronomic packages and practices were adopted during the entire crop period. In each replications, five random plants were chosen for biometrical observations at the time of maturity.

Plant height was recorded with the help of a meter scale in centimeters from the base of the plant to the topmost developing node.

Number of leaves per plant

Total number of leaves per plant of tagged plants was recorded by counting 5 sample plants from each treatment and averaged. Data were recorded at 30 and 60 DAP.

Leaf area of three randomly selected plants from each replication was measured by using the digital leaf area meter and their average values were worked out. The data were recorded at 30 and 60 DAP.

Leaf length was recorded at 30, 60 DAP. Leaf length of randomly selected observational plants and their leaf from each treatment and replication was recorded with the help of meter scale in centimeter from the base of plant to middle of plant.

Width of leaves of randomly selected observational plants and their leaf width from each treatment and replication was recorded with the help of meter scale in centimeter from the base of plant to middle of plant.

Specific leaf weight is the ratio of leaf weight of plant to the leaf area of the plant. It indicates the relative thickness of the leaf SLW was calculated at 30 and 60 DAP. SLW was estimated as per the formula given by Dhopte and Livera (1989) [16] .

Days to 50% flowering

Here the number of days from sowing to the date on which fifty percent of plants were flowered was recorded. Then mean value was calculated and noted.

Days to 100%senescence of leaves

Days to 100% senescence of leaves of safed musli plant of tagged plants was recorded from each treatment and averaged. Data were recorded at proper stage.

Length of flowering stalk per plant of tagged plants was recorded by counting five sample plants flowering stalk from each treatment and averaged by using cm scale. Data were recorded at proper stage.

Number of flowers per plant

Here number of flowers from sowing date to the date on which number of flowers per plant were flowered per plant was recorded at proper stage. Then mean value was calculated and noted.

Root parameter Number of tubers per plant

The total number of fingers/tubers per plant was recorded by counting of five tagged plants from each replication and average was worked out.

The length of tubers (fingers) was measured to the nearest millimeter with the help of a digital varnier calliper of five sample plants from each replication and average was calculated.

The width or diameter of tuber/ finger was measured in nearest millimetre with the help of a digital varnier calliper from five sample plants from each treatment and average was calculated.

Relative water content was calculated with the equation given by Barrs and Weatherley, (1962) [17] .

To determine the total leaf dry weight (g/plant), three plants were randomly selected and uprooted from each net plot. leaf portion detached for stalk. Then let the samples air dry. After this kept the leaf samples in big brown paper bags and allowed to dry in poly house, till the constant weight achieved. Observations of total leaf dry weight were taken at 30, 60 DAP. Then by using weighing balance dry weight were recorded. Finally mean of dry weight noted in gram per plant.

To determine the dry matter put the plant samples in big brown paper bags and allow them to dry in a hot air oven at 700 c, till the constant weight is achieved. Then by using weighing balance dry weighs were recorded. Finally means of dry weight noted in grams per plant.

The crop growth rate is calculated to estimate the production efficiency of the crop. It was calculated by using the formula given by D. J. Watson (1952).

Number of leaves/plant

The data at 30 DAP under rainfed condition showed significant difference among genotypes AKSM-1(10.17) recorded significantly more number of leaves per plant followed by AKSM-12(9.89), AKSM-15(9.83cm), AKSM-10,AKSM-11 and MCB-405 each (9.67), AKSM-8(9.50), AKSM-14(8.83) and AKSM-3(8.80) and significantly lowest Number of leaves per plant was noticed in the accession is AKSM-2(7.17), however AKSM-6 and each AKSM-13 each (7.83), AKSM-7(8.00), AKSM-4(8.33), AKSM-5(8.50) and AKSM-9(8.67)were found at par among themselves. The data at 60 DAP under rainfed condition showed significant difference among genotypes. AKSM-8(11.17), and MCB-405(11.17) recorded significantly more number of leaves per plant followed by AKSM-1, AKSM-10 and AKSM-14 each (10.80), AKSM-7(10.67), AKSM-11(10.50) AKSM-15(9.83), AKSM-13(10.17) and significantly lowest number of leaves per plant was noticed in the accession is AKSM-2(8.80), however AKSM-9(9.00), AKSM-3 and AKSM-6 each (9.17), AKSM-12(9.30), AKSM-4(9.33), AKSM-5 and AKSM-15 each (9.83) and AKSM-13(10.17) were found at par among themselves. Safed musli being a green plant, undergoes Photosynthesis to produce energy rich organic compound. The leaves contain chlorophyll, which capture light energy & convert It into chemical energy through photosynthesis and yield of plant. So, number of leaves per plant is desirable attribute for higher biomass production and yield. Bordia et al., (1995) studied collections of Safed musli particularly from Rajasthan species of different region and observed that number of leaves/ plant in RC-1 to RC-56 were (6.80-13.40).

The data at 30 DAP under rainfed condition showed significant difference among genotype, AKSM-2(30.57cm 2 ) recorded significantly higher leaf area/plant followed by AKSM-6(30.51cm 2 ), AKSM-1(29.63cm 2 ), MCB-405(29.61cm 2 ), AKSM-7(28.25cm 2 ), AKSM-5(28.07cm 2 ) however found at par among themselves. Significantly lower leaf area and significantly lowest leaf area was noticed by the accession AKSM-11(21.22cm 2 ), however AKSM-13 (21.29cm 2 ), AKSM-15(22.43cm 2 ), AKSM-12(22.94cm 2 ) and AKSM-10(23.31cm 2 ), AKSM-14(23.97cm 2 ), AKSM-4(24.18cm 2 ), AKSM-8(25.78cm 2 ), AKSM-3(26.08cm 2 ) were found at par among themselves. The data at 45 DAP under rainfed condition showed best significant difference among genotypes. MCB-405(33.33cm 2 ) recorded significantly superior leaf area/plant followed by AKSM-12(33.04cm 2 ), AKSM-2(32.96cm 2 ), AKSM-5(32.84cm 2 ), AKSM-3(32.62cm 2 ), AKSM-9(32.42cm 2 ), AKSM-4 (32.25), AKSM-7 (31.91cm 2 ), AKSM-1 (31.84cm 2 ), AKSM-15 (31.26cm 2 ), AKSM-14(31.14cm 2 ) found at par among themselves. Significantly lowest leaf area was recorded by the accession is AKSM-8(28.61cm 2 ), however, AKSM-13(28.79cm 2 ), AKSM-11(29.66cm 2 ), AKSM-6(30.06cm 2 ), AKSM-10(30.31cm 2 ) were found at par among themselves. The data at 60 DAP under rainfed condition showed significant differences among genotypes AKSM-6(48.43cm 2 ) noted significantly more leaf area/plant followed by AKSM-1(46.52cm 2 ), MCB-405(45.96cm 2 ), AKSM-7(44.5cm 2 ), AKSM-5(44.85cm 2 ) and AKSM-3(41.5cm 2 ) found at par among themselves. Significantly lowest leaf area was noted by the accession AKSM-13(36.10cm 2 ), however, AKSM-12(38.26cm 2 ), AKSM-14(38.93cm 2 ), AKSM-10(39.16cm 2 ), AKSM-2(39.36cm 2 ), AKSM-15(39.45cm 2 ), AKSM-9(40.06cm 2 ), AKSM-11(40.74cm 2 ), AKSM-8(40.8cm 2 ), AKSM-4(41.21cm 2 ) and AKSM-3(41.51cm 2 ) however were found at par among themselves. Present data showed increase in morph-physiological character like leaf area which may be because of increase in activities of metabolism and released photosynthates which enhanced plant growth which came up with increase in leaf length which might contribute to increase in leaf area and this finding in genotypes under semi-arid conditions leaf area (37.49-38.84cm 2 ) reported that Hemlata Bharti et.al,

The data at 30 DAP under rainfed condition showed significant difference among genotype, AKSM-6(21.96cm) recorded best significantly more leaf length followed by AKSM-1(21.78cm), AKSM-7(21.58cm) found at par among themselves. Significantly lowest leaf length was noticed in the accession is AKSM-3(14.64cm), however AKSM-13(15.43cm) were found at par with each other followed by AKSM-15(16.87cm), AKSM-8(17.12cm), AKSM-9(17.32cm), AKSM-12(17.67cm), AKSM-14(17.78cm), AKSM-10 and AKSM-11 each (18.39cm), AKSM-4(18.49cm), MCB-405(18.72cm), AKSM-5(19.20cm), AKSM-2(19.21cm). The data at 60 DAP under rainfed condition showed significant difference among genotypes. AKSM-7(25.07cm) recorded significantly highest leaf length followed by AKSM-6(24.78cm) and AKSM-1(24.43cm) and were found at par among themselves. Significantly lowest leaf length was noticed by the accession is AKSM-3(18.58cm), followed by AKSM-13(20.16cm) found at par with each other followed by AKSM-15(21.34cm), AKSM-14(21.45cm), AKSM-8 (21.56cm), AKSM-12(21.86cm), AKSM-9(21.98cm), AKSM-4 (22.32cm), AKSM-10 (22.43cm), AKSM-2(22.44cm), MCB-405 (22.60cm), AKSM-11(22.65cm) and AKSM-5(23.10cm) were found at par among themselves.The maximum per cent as per wards upto increase in leaf length with respect to days after planting is more during first 30 DAP and 60 DAP when compared with it. In under rainfed conditions, the increase in leaf length after planting is primarily due to cell elongation and expansion. As the plant absorbs water from the soil, the cells in the leaves will expand, causing the leaves to grow longer. This process is regulated by plant hormones such as auxins, which stimulate cell elongation and growth. The plant may also undergo processes such as photosynthesis and respiration to produce the energy needed for growth. The leaf length was profoundly affect a variety of biological processes, for instance, plant growth, survival, reproduction and ecosystem function. Leaf length the longest extension from leaf apex to base. These are in accordance with the finding of Trivedi et.al under Collection and evaluation of Chlorophytum species in Indore who evaluated difference in leaf length (15.93-63.18cm).

The data at 30 DAP under rainfed condition showed significant difference among genotype, AKSM-2(1.69cm) recorded best significantly superior width of leaves than all the genotypes under study. Significantly lowest width of leaves was noticed by the accession AKSM-11(1.17cm), however AKSM-10(1.21cm), AKSM-4(1.28) AKSM-14 and AKSM-15(1.31cm), AKSM-12(1.32cm), AKSM-7(1.34cm), AKSM-6(1.37cm), AKSM-1 and AKSM-9(1.39cm) and found at par among themselves followed by AKSM-5(1.46cm), AKSM-3(1.46cm), AKSM-8(1.49cm) and MCB-405(1.59cm). The data at 60 DAP under rainfed condition showed nonsignificant difference among genotype, MCB-405(2.03cm) recorded non-significantly more width of leaves followed by AKSM-3(1.97cm), AKSM-5(1.92cm), AKSM-1 and AKSM-4 each with (1.86cm), AKSM-15(1.85cm), AKSM-9(1.84cm), AKSM-14(1.82cm), AKSM-13(1.80cm), AKSM-7(1.79cm), AKSM-12(1.76cm), AKSM-2 and AKSM-10 each (1.74cm) were found at par among themselves and non-significantly lowest width of leaves was noticed in the accession is AKSM-11(1.71cm). The per cent increase in width of leaves with respect to days after planting upto 30 DAP is significant and from 60 DAP was minimum. Because of Cell expansion (The cells within the leaf tissue are actively taking up water and expanding, leading to an increase in leaf width.), Photosynthesis(The newly planted leaf is likely to be actively engaging in photosynthesis, producing sugars and other compounds that contribute to cell growth and expansion.), Water uptake(The newly planted leaf is absorbing water from the surrounding soil, leading to turgor pressure within the cells and contributing to the increase in leaf width.), Hormonal activity(Plant hormones such as auxins and cytokinins may be involved in regulating cell expansion and growth, contributing to the increase in leaf width.) These physiological activities work together to support the rapid growth and expansion of the newly planted leaf, leading to the observed increase in leaf width Bordia et al., (1995) also reported during collections of Safed musli particularly Rajasthan species of different region and observed that leaf width RC-1 to RC-56(1.06-1.75cm).

The data at 30 DAP under rainfed condition showed significant difference among genotype, AKSM-8(0.077 g/dm 2 /plant) recorded significantly more Specific leaf weight followed by MCB-405(0.075 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-9(0.074 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-6(0.070 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-14(0.068 g/dm 2 /plant) and AKSM-3(0.068 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-13(0.066 g/dm 2 /plant) found at par among themselves. Significantly lowest Specific leaf weight was recorded by the accession AKSM-2(0.047 g/dm 2 /plant), however AKSM-1(0.053 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-4 and AKSM-7 each (0.054 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-5(0.056 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-11(0.058 g/dm 2 /plant) found at par among themselves lowed AKSM-15(0.063 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-10 and AKSM-12 each (0.064 g/dm 2 /plant) were found at par among themselves. The data at 60 DAP under rainfed condition showed significant difference among genotype MCB-405(0.109 g/dm 2 /plant) recorded significantly superior Specific leaf weight followed by AKSM-10(0.096 g/dm 2 /plant) and found at par with each significantly lowest Specific leaf weight was recorded by the accession AKSM-1(0.062 g/dm 2 /plant), however AKSM-6(0.066 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-5 and AKSM-9(0.071 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-11(0.072 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-4(0.072 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-3(0.073 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-7(0.076 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-8(0.077 g/dm 2 /plant) found at par among themselves. AKSM-2(0.080 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-15(0.081 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-12(0.082 g/dm 2 /plant), AKSM-13(0.087 g/dm 2 /plant) were found at par among themselves. Specific leaf weight (SLW) indicates the thickness of leaf and is known to have positive correlation with photosynthetic rate (Walter et al).

Days to 50% flowering

The data at proper stage under rainfed condition showed significant difference among genotype AKSM-6, AKSM-11, AKSM-15 each (35 days), recorded significantly more days to 50 % flowering followed by AKSM-1 and AKSM-10(34), AKSM-2, AKSM-5 and AKSM-8 each (32 days), AKSM-4, AKSM-7 and AKSM-9each (31 days), AKSM-3, AKSM-13 and AKSM-14(30 days) were found at par among themselves and significantly lowest days to 50 % flowering was recorded by the accession MCB-405(25 days), however AKSM-12(28 days) were found at par among themselves.

The reason for the 50% flowering occurring relatively soon after sowing could be due to the specific growth conditions, such as temperature, soil moisture, and nutrient availability, which are optimal for the plant's rapid growth and development.

Days to 100% senescence

The data days to 100 % senescence of leaves under rainfed condition showed significant differences among genotype AKSM-10(84 days), recorded significantly more days to 100% senescence of leaves followed by AKSM-13(82.5 days), MCB-405(82 days), AKSM-5(81 days), AKSM-9 and AKSM-11(80.5 days), AKSM-12(79.5 days) were found at par among themselves. Significantly lowest days to 100% senescence of leaves was recorded by the accession is AKSM-2 and AKSM-8(68.5), however AKSM-7, AKSM-3 and AKSM-15(70.5 days), AKSM-14(73 days) found at par among themselves followed by genotypes AKSM-6(76.5 days), AKSM-1 and AKSM-4(77.5 days) were found at par among themselves.

The data at flowering under rainfed condition showed significant difference among genotype AKSM-8(22.20 cm), recorded significantly more length of flowering stalk followed by AKSM-2(21.48 cm), MCB-405(21.38 cm), AKSM-9(21.26 cm), AKSM-14(20.83 cm), AKSM-6(20.78 cm), AKSM-11(20 cm) however were found at par among themselves. Significantly lowest length of flowering stalk(cm) was recorded in the accession is AKSM-7(18.05 cm) however AKSM-1(18.2 cm), AKSM-13(18.66 cm), AKSM-10(18.69 cm), AKSM-5(18.73 cm), AKSM-15(19.14 cm), AKSM-3(19.26 cm), AKSM-4(19.35 cm) and AKSM-12(19.55 cm) were found at par among themselves. This observation was in association with the results noted by Hemlata Bharti, et. al. In multivariate analysis of yield associated traits in Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) genotypes under semi-arid conditions reported that the inflorescence length (cm) or Length of flowering stalk ranged from (2.14-37.04cm).

Number of flowers per plant

The data at flowering stage under rainfed condition showed significant difference among genotype AKSM-2, AKSM-6

Number of tubers

The data at harvest under rainfed condition showed significant difference among genotype AKSM-8(12.90), recorded significantly more number of tubers per plant followed by MCB-405 (12.10)

The data at harvest under rainfed condition showed significant difference among genotypes MCB-405(6.54cm), recorded best significantly superior length of tubers per plant followed by AKSM-7(5.37 cm). Significantly lowest Length of tubers per plant was recorded by the accession is AKSM-12(2.82cm) followed by AKSM-14(3.43cm), AKSM-13(3.64cm) and found at par among themselves by followed AKSM-11(3.79cm), AKSM-15(3.90cm), AKSM-1(3.99cm), AKSM-9(4.13cm), AKSM-10 and AKSM-10 5(11.57 g/plant), AKSM-11(11.24 g/plant) and found at par among themselves. Significantly lowest total dry matter production was noticed by the accession AKSM-3(10.01 g/plant) followed by AKSM-2(10.04 g/plant), AKSM-4(10.40 g/plant), AKSM-6(10.43 g/plant), AKSM-9(10.55 g/plant), AKSM-1(10.67 g/plant), AKSM-8(10.72 g/plant), AKSM-15(10.99 g/plant) and AKSM-13(11.03 g/plant) and were found at par among themselves.

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