Atul GuptaMOHIT KUNDAL2024-05-012024-05-012022-05-12https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810208562The present study entitled “Genetic diversity in wild populations of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Drumstick tree) in north-west India” was carried out in the Department of Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan (H.P.) during 2020-23. This investigation was conducted in seven locations in four states/UTs, viz., Samba (Jammu and Kashmir), Dunera (Punjab), Vikasnagar (Uttarakhand), Lamlehri (Himachal Pradesh), Tirla (Himachal Pradesh), Siswa Dam (Punjab) and Morni Hills (Haryana) ranging from 351-549 amsl. Four major experiments were conducted, viz., survey and selection of wild genotypes, morphological variation in selected half-sib progenies, identifying best progenies having superior nutritive values and genetic diversity of mother trees using SSR markers. The mother trees varied significantly in qualitative, morphological, nutritive and molecular levels. Progeny P35 showed highest values for plant height and fresh shoot weight, P7 for number of leaves, total amino acids, N, S and Zn, P30 for leaf area and fresh shoot weight, P19 for ether extract, P3 for crude fiber, P22 for ash content, P and Mn, P34 for collar diameter and nitrogen free extract, P29 for K, P20 for Ca, P16 for Mg, P18 for Fe and P14 for Cu content. High heritability pooled with high genetic gain was observed for germination percentage; plant height and total fresh biomass, ether extract, crude fiber, P, Zn, S, Fe and Mn. Correlation coefficients, path coefficient and principle component analysis exhibited high variability among progenies. Genetic diversity of mother trees was assessed using SSR markers. Sixteen out of 20 SSR markers gave amplification of which all 16 markers gave polymorphism. On average, 3.75 alleles/per SSR were amplified in each mother tree. The overall similarity coefficient was 0.82 where M1 and M3 were distantly related.EnglishThesis