Seed Source Variation For Fruit, Seed, Seedling And Camptothecin, an Anti-Cancer Drug, In Pyrenacantha volubilis
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Date
2017-07
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University of Agricultural Science, Dharwad
Abstract
P. volubilis is a dioecious, undomesticated woody liana of the east and southern coasts of India, that has very high anti-cancer alkaloid content viz. camptothecin (CPT) in its seeds. There are hardly any reports regarding the seed source variations for fruit/ seed / biomass traits and CPT content in this species. Nineteen seed sources of P. volubilis belonging to five broad bioclimatic zones, in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, were identified. Fruits of Kizhoor source were superior with respect to fruit and seed traits viz., fruit length (16.24 mm), fruit width (10.49 mm), fruit weight (1.12 g), seed length (12.86 mm), pulp weight (0.95 g), pulp: fruit ratio (0.85) and test weight (17.15 g). The best performing seed source for germination characteristics was Pazhaiyasivaram (70 % germination percentage and 80 % germination capacity). Seedlings obtained from Villiampakkam source were better for ground diameter (2.99 mm), number of leaves (24) and number of branches (2.95). Mangalam seed source was superior in terms of stem dry weight (1.01 g) and shoot dry weight (2.51 g); Villiampakkam source was better with regard to leaf dry weight (1.64 g) and Kizhoor source was best in terms of dry root: dry shoot ratio (0.88). Fruit, seed, seedling growth and sturdiness parameters showed higher heritability. Calculated genetic gain was very high for fruit weight, pulp weight and pulp: fruit ratio and was low for seedling quality index, dry root weight and petiole diameter. Seed source 'Otteri' was superior in terms of camptothecin accumulation in roots and stems (0.16 % and 0.12 % respectively); while maximum camptothecin is accumulated in seeds by the Puthupattu seed source (1.0%). In general, clinal variations showed that southern populations were found to have larger fruits, seeds, greater pulp yield and higher accumulation of camptothecin in the stems compared to the northern populations. Northern populations were found to be better for germination percentage, ground diameter, shoot length, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, root CPT and whole seed CPT content. These patterns are very important for further selections and domestication.