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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur
The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively.
Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively.
On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs.
In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc.
During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU).
Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.
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ThesisItem Open Access Induction of polyploidy in kacholam(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Ajithmohan, N K; KAU; Pushkaran, KA trial on induction of polyploidy in Kaempferia galanga L. was undertaken at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during the period 1994-'95. A local selection Vellanikkara collected from the genetic stock maintained at AICRP on M & AP was used for the study. The objective was to create variability in kacholam by developing polyploids. The rhizomes of the crop were treated with colchicine for inducing polyploidy. Five concentration of colchicine viz., 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.35 and 0.45 per cent (C2 to C6, C1 being control i.e., 0%) was tried for two time durations viz., four hours and six hours (T1 and T2), the same treatment being repeated on two consecutive days. Two methods of treatment were tried the first (M1) being chemical application in a hole drilled close to the sprouting bud and the second (M2) being the ordinary cotton swab method. Rhizomes with two different stages of bud sprouting were used: (1) with just emerging buds (S1) and (2) buds at an advanced stage of sprouting (S2). The treated rhizomes were planted in the field and their growth was examined. In the end of the crop season, 18 variant plants were identified and they were put to detailed morphological and cytological study in the next growing season. Mitotic study of the parent material confirmed that the chromosome number of kacholam is 55. Of the 18 variants identified one was found to contain 110 chromosomes in the somatic cells. As kacholam is proposed to be a pentaploid the induced polyploid must be a decaploid. The polyploid was obtained from the treatment combination S1M1T1C6. It was characterised by small plant size and reduced vigour. The leaves were thick with reduced size. Stomatal size increased conspicuously with their numbers reduced. The rhizome development was found retarded and the per plant yield was also less. The rhizome morphology was on par with the normal plants. The plant flowered neither in the first season nor in the second. In addition to the polyploid, there other stable variants were obtained from the experiment. They were also characterised by reduced vigour and yield.ThesisItem Open Access Combining ability studies in tomato (lycopersicon esculentum mill)(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Seeja, G; KAU; Chandramony, DAn experiment in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was carried out at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1993-94, with the objective of estimating the combining ability of parents and gene action, involved in the inheritance of different yield attributes. The study was conducted in a line x tester model, using three bacterial wilt resistant varieties as lines and five popular varieties as testers. The three bacterial wilt resistant varieties (lines) were Arka Abha, Arka Alok and Sakthi. The five popular varieties (testers) were LE 312, LE 370, LE 373, RFH-1 and PKM-1. These eight parental varieties and 15 hybrids were planted in the field in RBD, with three replications. Observations recorded were plant height, number of branches/plant, growth habit, spread of the plant, period of harvest, individual fruit weight, number of fruits/plant, fruit yield/plant, number of leaves/plant, pericarp thickness, locules/fruit, size of fruit and pest and disease incidence. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters. Gca alone was significant for number of branches/ plant while sca alone was significant for spread of the plant and pericarp thickness. Both gca and sca were significant for the remaining characters such as plant height, period of harvest, individual fruit weight, fruits/ plant, fruit yield/plant, leaves/plant, locules/fruit and size of fruit. The additive to dominance variance ratio indicated a preponderance for non additive gene action in the above characters. Combining ability analysis showed that all the three lines viz., Arka Abha, Arka Alok and Sakthi were good general combiners with respect to fruit yield and other yield attributes whereas the testers were good general combiners, for the different vegetative characters such as plant height, branches and leaves/plant. Among the 15 hybrids combinations, significant sca and heterosis were observed in the hybrids such as Arka Abha x LE 370, Arka Alok x PKM-1, Arka Alok x LE 312, Arka Abha x RFH-1 and Sakthi x RHF-1. Among these hybrids, Arka Abha x LE 370 showed significance for fruit yield, individual fruit weight, size of fruit, plant height, leaves/plant, branches/plant and also showed resistance to mosaic, leaf cur1 and fruit borer. This hybrid exhibited indeterminate growth habit. The hybrid Arka Alok x PKM-1 showed significance for fruits/plant, fruit yield/plant, plant height and leaves/plant. The combinations Arka Alok x LE 312 and Arka Alok x RFH-1 showed high sca and heterosis for individual fruit weight, fruit size and pericarp thickness, and also high heterosis for fruit yield/plant. Among these, Arka Aloka 312 showed indeterminated growth and Arka Alok x RFH-1 showed semi determinate growth habit. Sakthi x RFH-1 exhibited high sca for fruit yield/plant and heterosis for fruit number and individual fruit weight. This hybrid also showed resistance to leaf curl and mosaic. This hybrid showed determinate growth habit. Therefore these hybrids can be utilized for further crop improvement programme.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic analysis of biological nitrogen fixation traits and yield components in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (Linn). walp)(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Sreekumar, K; KAU; Manikantan Nair, PA study on the parameters of variability, correlations, path-coefficients, combining ability, gene action and heterosis in cowpea was undertaken at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1991 to 1993. Fifty three genotypes of cowpea collected from different sources were planted in a field experiment for the estimation of variability, correlation and path coefficient. Eleven biological nitrogen fixation characters, viz., number of days to flower, length of primary root, number of secondary roots, number of nodules in the primary root, number of nodules in the secondary roots, total number of nodules, weight of effective nodules in the primary root, weight of nodules in the secondary roots, total weight of nodules, nitrogen content in the plant at 50 per cent flowering and plant dry weight and six yield characters, viz., grain yield per plant, length of pods, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, weight of 100 seeds and seed protein content were considered for this study. The ten selected varieties/types from the initial evaluation trial were crossed in a line x tester model, keeping the three high nitrogen fixing types and three high yielding types as lines (total six lines) and two low nitrogen fixing and two low yielding types as testers (total four testers). The F1ās along with their parents were compared in a field experiment and combining ability, gene action and heterosis were estimated. The study of combining ability and gene action were confined to six biological nitrogen fixation characters, viz., number of days to 50 per cent flowering, weight of nodules in the primary root, total weight of nodules, weight of effective nodules, dry weight of the plant and nitrogen content per plant and six yield characters, viz., length of pod, number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant, hundred seed weight, seed protein content and grain yield per plant. The analysis of variance revealed that a considerable amount of variation among the varieties was present with respect to the characters under study. Characters like number of days to flower, total nodule weight, nitrogen content per plant, weight of 100 seeds and seed protein content had recorded narrow relative magnitude of difference of phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation along with high heritability estimate. Moderate magnitude of difference of PCV and GCV along with moderate heritability was recorded for the characters viz., number of nodules in the primary root, number of nodules in the secondary roots, total number of nodules, weight of effective nodules in the primary root, weight nodules in the secondary root, length of pods and number of pods per plant. Plant dry weight and grain yield registered a wider difference of PCV and GCV along with low heritability indication the greater influence of environment over these two characters. Genetic advance as percentage of mean was found to be high for the characters like number of nodules in the secondary roots, weight of effective nodules in the primary root, weight of nodules in the secondary roots, total nodule weight, number of pods per plant and 100 seed weight and moderate for number of nodules in the primary root, total number of nodules and grain yield. Low genetic advance was recorded by number of days to flower, plant dry weight, nitrogen content per plant, length of pod and seed protein content. Hence characters such as number and weight of nodules in the primary root, number and weight of nodules in the secondary roots, total number and weight of nodules, number of pods per plant and weight of 100 seeds may be controlled by additive genes whereas days to 50 per cent flowering, nitrogen content in plant, length of pod and seed protein content may be controlled by non-additive genes. Correlation coefficients were workedout at the genotypic and phenotypic levels. Based on the genetic correlation of characters studied, it was understood that high nitrogen fixing genotypes may not be high yielders because of the antagonistic relationship between grain yield and total nitrogen per plant. Weight of nodules in the primary root and total nodule weight were positively correlated with the nitrogen content in plant. Hence genotypes which was able to form effective large nodules on the primary root system seems to be a better nitrogen fixer. Number of days to 50 per cent flowering had negative genotypic correlation with grain yield. Hence an early flowering genotype may be better yielder than a late flowering type. Weight of hundred seeds and seed protein content exhibited very strong negative correlation indicating that small seeded genotypes may be better with respect to protein content. Grain yield recorded positive phenotypic and genotypic correlation with number of pods per plant. Path coefficient analysis at the genotypic level revealed that total number of nodules had the highest positive direct effect on nitrogen content per plant followed by weight of effective nodules in the primary root and weight of effective nodules in the secondary root. Highest positive direct effect was recorded for length of pod with grain yield. The combining ability analysis revealed that both additive and non-additive gene actions were important for all the characters under study. However GCA and SCA variance ratio which was less than unity for all the traits under study indicated the predominance of non-additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits. Considering the combining ability effects, VCP 4 was found to be the best general combiner for most of the biological nitrogen fixing characters and V 322 was the best general combiner for the grain yield. The cross combination of V 27 x C 152 and V 271 x Co Vu 85020 showed the best performance with respect to sea for the character number of days to 50 per cent flowering while VCP 4 x C 152 for weight of nodules in the primary root and nitrogen content in plant. DPLC 210 x PTB 2 recorded high sea for total weight of nodules, weight of effective nodules, dry weight of the plant and number of pods per plant, on the other hand Co Vu 358 x C 190 recorded high sca for length of pod, number of seeds per pod and seed protein content. The cross combination V 322 x C 190 exhibited high sca for hundred seed weight and V 27 X C 152 for grain yield per plant. Marked heterosis was observed in many cross combinations for most of the characters studied and pronounced heterotic expression was obtained for weight of nodules in the primary root, total weight of nodules, weight of effective nodules, dry weight of the plant at 50 per cent flowering, number of pods per plant and grain yield. It was already established that these characters are predominantly governed by the non ā additive gene action. Hence the heterotic vigour expressed by the hybrid combination with respect to these characters are justified. Since the biological feasibility for the exploitation of heterosis is not economical as a plant improvement programme in this crop, genetic improvement of these trait can be brought about more effectively through combination breeding involving genetically diverse and high combining parants.ThesisItem Open Access Induced mutations in interspecific hybrids of abolmochus(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Animon, G; KAU; Gopimony, RThe F1 seeds of the cross between Abelmoschus esculentus cv Kiran and the semi- wild species, Abelmoschus manihot were exposed to four different doses (10, 20, 30 and 40 KR) of gama rays and their effects in the first generation were studied. The percentage of seed germination decreased with increasing doses of gamma rays. The treated hybrids have shown delyed germination compared to the control. The survival of plants was found to decrease with increase in dose of the mutagen. The rate of growth of plants and plant height were found to decrease by the treatment with gamma rays. Various chlorophyll and morphological varients were observed in the irradiated population. An increase in pollen fertility was noticed in the irradiated hybrids. But the increased pollen fertility did not show any effect on the seed set. Irradiation delayed the formation of flowers and fruiting. The mean values for number and weight of fruits did not differ significantly among irradiated treatments and was on par with the control F1. The treated hybrids were found to be on par with the control F1 for yellow vein mosaic disease incidence and the important diseases affecting bhindi. The hybrids irradiated at higher doses had become more susceptiable to fruit borer incidence. The hybrids represented more towards the semi-wild parent and have shown considerable heterosis over the cultivated parent and semi-wild parent for most of the economic characters. The hybrids were vigorous in growth habit compared to the parents. The hybrid treatments exhibited significant positive heterosis for days taken to first flowering and last fruiting over the cultivated parent. The hybrids treatments exhibited significant positive heterosis for number of flowers, number of fruits and weight of fruits over both the parents. Significant negative heterosis over the cultivated parent was shown for fruit length by the hybrid treatments. Significant negative heterosis over the cultivated parent for fruit borer incidence was shown by the control and the hybrids irradiated at 10 and 20 KR. All the hybrid treatments manifested significant negative heterosis over the cultivated parent for YVMD incidence. The mutagenic effectiveness in inducing chlorophyll mutations was found to increase with increase in dose of the gamma rays. The mutagenic efficiency estmated on the basis of lethality and injury increased with increase in dose of gamma rays. On sterility basis, the 30 KR treatments was the most efficient.ThesisItem Open Access Yield potential and adaptability of black gram genotypes for rice fallows(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Saji Kumar, K R; KAU; Suma Bai, D IA research programme was carried out at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during January-April 1995 with the objective of assessing yield potential and adaptability of black gram genotypes in summer rice fallows. Thirty varieties were evaluated adopting a randomised complete block design with three replications. Data on twenty one characters were collected and subjected to statistical analysis. Analysis of variance revealed significant difference among the varieties for all the characters except number of pickings. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were highest for incidence of rust disease, leaf area index, biological yield, seed yield per plant and height of plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded for leaf area index, height of plant, number of pods per plant and stomatal distribution suggesting the reliability of these characters during selection progrmme. High positive genotypic correlation of pod weight, number of pods per plant and number of pod clusters per plant with grain yield has indicated that selection based on the above components result in the improvement of grain yield. Selection index based on yield contributing characters has enabled to select six high yielding adaptable black gram genotypes viz. Co-Bg-309, Co-Bg-9, B-3-8-8-1, WBG-67, Co-Bg-303 and T-9.ThesisItem Open Access Induction of genetic recombinations in interspecific crosses of Abelmoschus(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Sheela, M N; KAU; Manikantan, Nair PA study was undertaken at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1990-91 aimed at inducing recombinations of the economic attributes of Bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) and the yellow vein mosaic disease resistance of wild relatives. A preliminary evaluation of 56 accessions revealed good genetic diversity in Bhindi germplasm. The accessions were grouped into four clusters. The characterization of germplasm was done based on IBPGR descriptors. High genotypic coefficients of variation were exhibited by weight of fruits per plant, leaf area, height of plant, number of fruits per plant, single fruit weight and number of branches per plant indicating scope for selection. High heritability along with high genetic advance was recorded for weight of fruits per plant, height of plant, leaf area and number of seeds per fruit. Low heritability coupled with low genetic advance recorded for yellow vein mosaic disease incidence indicated the predominant role of environment in the inheritance of disease resistance.ThesisItem Open Access Screening of cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.) types for resistance to cowpea aphid borne mosaic disease(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) SudhaKumari, K S; KAU; Gopimony, RThe screening of fifty nine cowpea varieties through sap inoculations for CAMV resistance under field conditions has shown two varieties namely V-317 and V-276 as highly resistant, Other sixteen varieties were found highly tolerant, seven tolerant and the remaining thirty four susceptible. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among varieties for days to first flowering, days to maturity, plant height at maturity, number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, length of pod, hundred seed weight, seed yield per plant, CAMV disease incidence, Cercospora leaf spot infection, rust disease infection, Pea aphid infestation, Epilachna beetle infestation. Analysis of variance for number of hairs per unit area of leaf has no significant difference among varieties. High values of GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance were observed for length of pod, number of primary branches per plant and hundred seed weight suggesting the reliability of these characters during selection programme for their improvement. Observations on the reactions to major pests and diseases other than CAMV, have shown four varieties as highly resistant to Cercospora leaf spot, six varieties to rust disease infection, five varieties to Epilachna beetle infestation and none to pea aphid infestation. Correlation analysis has revealed positive significant correlation of seed yield per plant with number of seeds per pod, length of pod and hundred seed weight. Genetic divergence using Mahalanobisās D2 technique was studied on 59 cowpea varieties. Based on this they were grouped in eight clusters. Intra cluster distance was less than inter cluster distance. The maximum divergence was observed between cluster V and VII.ThesisItem Open Access Mutagenicity of gamma rays and EMS on winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.)(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Deepa, T O; KAU; Radhadevi, D SA study on mutagenicity of gamma rays and EMS in the M2 generation of winged bean [Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.)] was carried out in non-replicated progeny row trial with seeds collected individually from M1 plants which were initially treated with four doses of gammarays (100, 200, 300 and 400 Gy units) and five doses of EMS (40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 mM). Observations on chlorophyll and viable mutations and other characters like height at 45 DAS and 75 DAS, days to flower. Pod length, pod number, seed number and 100 seed weight were recorded. The chlorophyll and viable mutations were quantitatively expressed by frequency and qualitatively by spectrum. The frequency distribution, range and mean performance of plants in each treatment were estimated. Quantitative analysis of chlorophyll mutations showed that mutation frequencies recorded an increase at the lower doses and a decrease at he higher doses. The frequencies were maximum at the same dose for both the mutagens viz., at 200 Gy units of gamma rays and 160 mM of EMS. Among the two mutagens, high frequencies were noticed for gamma rays. Quantitative analysis of chlorophyll mutations identified six types for both the mutagens viz., xantha, chlorina, viridis, maculata, viridalba and white streaked types. But none of the treatments produced six types together. Among the different types, chlorina appeared as the most frequent one. In case of EMS, the decrease in multiple mutation frequency with increase in dose was clearly observed. The segregation per cent of most of the chlorophyll mutants was in between 10 and 14. Quantitative analysis of viable mutations revealed that maximum frequency on M2 plant basis wasānt at the higher doses for both the mutagens. Twenty one viable mutants with change in characters of leaf, stem, pod and seed were isolated from gamma ray treated population and twenty two from EMS treated population. A negative shift in mean was noticed for all the characters except days to flower due to more negative variants than positive variants even in the lower doses. The mean performance of plants was found to be minimum for higher doses and maximum for control and lower doses. Mutagenic effectiveness was found to be high in lower doses viz., 100 Gy units of gamma rays and 40 mM of EMS. The efficient doses of gamma rays identified on the basis of injury and lethality or sterility were 100 Gy units and 200 Gy units respectively. In EMS the efficiency on the basis of sterility, lethality and injury was maximum at 120, 160 and 80 mM respectively.ThesisItem Open Access Cross compatibility in Anthurium andreanum. Lind.(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Sindhu, K; KAU; Mercy, S TMorphological and compatibili ty s t ud i e s were conducted in six commercially important varieties of A. andreanum. viz. Honeymoon red, chilli red, Kalympong orange, Kalympong red, Pink and white.The varieties s how distinct differences in the morphological/floral characters. The larsest plants were observed in the variety Pink and the shortest variety was Kalympong red. The average number of leaves produced per year ranged from 3.5 to 6.5. The leaf plastochron duration was lowest in the variety White and longest duration was observed in Chilli red. The commercially valuable small sized leaves we re produced by White and Chilli red varieties. The bigger sized leaves were produced by the Pink variety. All the varieties showed variations in the colour of petioles and young leaves. The number of spadices produced annually by a plant varied from four to eight. The duration between the emergence of two successive spadices ranged from 43 to 51 nays. The spathe size index of all the varieties were observed. The varieties Pink and Kalympong red produced super large f lowers and the smallest flowers were developed in the white variety. All the varieties showed a wide range of colours; darker shades of red, orange, pink and white. The texture of the spathe was either smooth thick and glossy without prominent veins or deeply veined and blistered. There was significant correlation between leaf size and spathe size. The largest leaf size and spathe size was observed in the variety Pink. The candle was long and fleshy in the variety Pink and shortest in the White variety. The candles had either a single colour or seen in two or more bands of colours. The maximum angle between the spadix and plane of the spathe was observed in the Honeymoon red variety. The angle was smallest in Chilli red. The flowers of anthurium which are arranged in a spiral manner varied in numbers in theā¢ differents varieties. The maximum number of flowers were produced in Pink and Honeymoon red Varieties. The spathe candle ratio was greater in Kalynpong red and smallest in White. The flowers of anthurium are bisexual, regular and protogynous. All the six varieties under the present study showed a distinct interphase. The longest life of unfertilised spadix was observed in Honeymoon r2.d and Kalympong red (3.5 months). For fertilised spadices, this period ranged from 4.5 - 8 months. Compatibility analysis was done in all the six A. andreanum varieties depending on the response of the cultivars to intervarietal hybridisation at three levels: percentage candles bearing fruits, percentage fruit set/seed set and seedgernination. The average percentage of candles bearing fruits waS maximum for the variety White and lowest for the variety Kalympong red. In this present investigation, the maximum average number of fruits was produced in the Pink and Honeymoon red varieties. The maxinum percentage of fruits were harvested . from the cross P x HR (52.3%). The duration of fruit maturity period ranged from 4.5 to 8 months. The average duration of fruit maturity "as maximum for the variety White. The colour of fruits varied in different varieties. All the cross combinations of a variety showed the same colour. The berries are usually single seeded and sometimes double seeded. Pink and Honeymoon red varieties produced larqer s i z e d seeds. The Kalympong varieties produced comparatively smaller sized seeds. Seed germination was observed in all the 23 combinations obtained. The maximum average germination was observed in combinations with white as the female parent (63.4%) and the lowest germination in the variety kalympong orange. tI I \l\Lt8''-\ HR x Among the 28 cross combinations done, the highly compatible crosses were HR x P and P x HR. The cross combinations, CR, HR x KR, CR x W, KR x P, P x P and W x KR had medium fruit set and high germination. The incompatible cross combinations were KO x KR, CR x HR, CR x P, W x CR, KR x KR and W x KO.
