Evaluation of Lathyrus (Lathyrus sativus L.) Germplasms for Growth and Yield Traits under the Agroclimatic Conditions of Akola, Maharashtra, India
M. R. Kondawar
Dr. PDKV, Akola, India.
L. N. Dongarwar *
ARS Sindewahi, District Chandrapur-441222, Maharashtra, India and Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (MS), India.
V. H. Borkar
Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (MS), India and Department of Agricultural Botany, Agriculture Research Station Sakoli, District Bhandara-441802, Maharashtra, India.
S. R. Madavi
Swamy Vivekanand University (SVN), Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India.
S. D. Chunchuwar
Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (MS), India.
D. V. Durge
Department of Agricultural Botany, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (MS), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study was carried out to screen the germplasm for “Evaluation of Lathyrus (Lathyrus sativus L.) Germplasms for Growth and Yield Traits under the Agroclimatic Conditions of Akola, Maharashtra, India”.
Study Design: Randomised Block Design (RBD) with three replications consisting of sixteen treatments, with a net plot size of 1.20 m x 1.90 m.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the experimental field of the Department of Agricultural Botany, Dr. P.D.K.V., Akola (M.S.), during the rabi (Summer) season of 2008-2009.
Methodology: The various morphological and yield-attributing traits differed significantly among the genotypes. Observations on plant height and yield-related parameters were recorded at 30, 50, 70, and 90 DAS.
Plant Height (cm): Plant height was recorded at 30, 50, 70, and 90 days after sowing (DAS). Five plants were randomly selected and tagged in each plot of every replication. The height of each tagged plant was measured from ground level to the tip of the main stem using a measuring scale. The average plant height for each treatment and replication was calculated and expressed in centimetres (cm).
Number of Pods Per Plant: The total number of pods produced by each of the five tagged plants was counted at harvest. The average number of pods per plant was calculated for each treatment.
Number of Seeds Per Pod: Ten pods were randomly collected from each tagged plant at harvest. The pods were manually threshed, and the seeds were counted. The average number of seeds per pod was calculated for each treatment.
Test Weight (100-Seed Weight): Well-dried seeds from each treatment and replication were used to determine test weight. A sample of 100 seeds was counted manually and weighed using an electronic balance (Anamed). The result was expressed as 100-seed weight (g).
Seed Yield per Plot: Seeds harvested from the net plot area, including those from the tagged observation plants, were thoroughly dried and weighed. The seed yield for each plot was recorded and expressed on a plot basis.
Seed Yield Per Plant (g): Five tagged plants from each plot were harvested separately. The pods were hand-threshed and cleaned, and the seeds were weighed individually. The average seed yield per plant was calculated and expressed in grams (g).
Results: Regarding the yield-attributing characters, genotype EC-539032 recorded the highest number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed yield per plant, and seed yield per plot, while genotype IC-420784 showed a higher test weight than check Ratan.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that significant genotypic variability existed in physio-morphological, biochemical, and other growth-related attributes across different growth stages, viz. plant height (cm), number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, test weight (100-seed weight), seed yield per plot, and seed yield per plant (g) of the crop.
Keywords: Biochemical, genotype, morphology, physiology, yield