Genotype-by-harvesting studies in elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius Dennst- Nicolson)

Abstract

Studies were carried out to assess the genetic divergence
and estimate substantial variation and relationship among
eleven cultivar of elephant foot yam of six quantitative traits,
for best suitability in eastern parts of India.Analysis of
variation for such quantitative traits in different cultivars
showed considerable and dissimilar level of variability. The
largest variation was found for months to maturity, polar
diameter, equatorial diameter, plant height, plant width,
pseudo-stem girth diameter and average fresh weight of
corm. Average fresh weight, pseudo-stem girth diameter and
pant height was highly significant correlated with cultivar
and year, however plant height, equatorial and polar diameter
was significantly correlated with cultivar and year. The
ranges of morphological traits viz., Polar diameter 11.2-68.0
cm, Equatorial diameter 8.9-64.0 cm, pseudo-stem girth
diameter 14.5-19.2, plant height 39.3-98.7 cm, plant width
96.4-126.0 cm and average fresh weight of corm 190.0-3462.5
g vary at different stages of harvesting. This information
will provide researchers with the feasibility to develop
desirable cultivars having high yield and better nutritional
profile to uplift socio-economic status of vulnerable
commodities of eastern parts of India.