Evaluation of genetic stock of Mucuna Pruriens Baker non DC. for yield, L-DOPA content and nitrogen fixing potential in coconut garden
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Date
2000
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Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani
Abstract
The present study titled "Evaluation of genetic stock of Mucuna
pruriens Baker non DC. for yield, L-DOPA content and nitrogen fixing
potential in coconut garden" was carried out at the Department of
Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from May
1999 to January 2000.
Seeds of twenty five different accessions were collected from
inside and outside the state. They were subjected to seed characterization
and seed germination studies.
Based on the germination rate, ten accessrons with high
germination percentage were selected. These were raised under coconut
shade.
Various biometric observations were taken at four different stages,
viz., pre-flowering, flowering, seeding and seed maturation state. These
observations included biomass yield, root yield and seed yield.
Phytochemical analysis was carried after crop harvest to estimate
the quantity of L-DOPA present in the seeds of each accession. Soil
tests were carried out to determine the amount of nitrogen fixed in the
soil by the accessions.
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After analysis of the results it was evident that the accessions
MP-62, MP-57, MP-44, MP-58, MP-46 and MP-45 had superior biomass
yields compared to the others. The accessions showing superior seed
yield were MP-60, MP-62, MP-58, MP-67, MP-57 and MP-66.
The content of soil nitrogen fixed varied significantly among the
plots of individual accessions. The accessions MP-62, MP-57, MP-67,
MP-44, MP-58 and MP-60 were observed to have fixed higher amounts
of nitrogen.
After phytochemical tests, the accessions with significantly
superior L-DOPA content (ie., greater than two per cent) were MP-60,
MP-57, MP-46 and MP-66.
From the study conducted, the most promising accessions, ie.,
those having superior biomass, root and seed yield, as well as superior
L-DOPA content and nitrogen-fixation potential could be identified. They
are MP-62, MP-60, MP-58, MP-57, MP-44 and MP-67.
It can be reiterated that growing such accessions of this plant
. species would be of much benefit to the cultivator enabling him to utilize
existing areas under cultivation, enrich its soil fertility status as well as
provide him with an additional source of income by way of selling seeds;
the medicinally valuable plant part.
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