Studies on genetic variability of ecotypes and Biochemical analysis of wild edible medicinal tree Lasuda (Cordia myxa L.) in Himalayan Shivaliks

Cordia myxa L. is traditional medicinal tree with multiple uses such as vegetable, fodder and soil binder tree and used as delicacy in rural cuisine in summer and rainy season. The present study was an attempt about genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance among the impor­tant traits of lasuda crop and use this by modern techniques to develop highly nutritive strains. The overall values of PCV were higher than values for all the characters in among all the landraces under study. PCV was highest for fruit diameter (32.95) followed by seed diameter (30.92), pulp weight (22.75) and fruit weight (17.01), while, lowest level of PCV was observed for fruit length (8.62). Almost similar variations were noted in GCV, highest GCV was found for fruit diameter (32.47) followed by seed diameter (28.54), pulp weight (21.02) and fruit weight (15.57), while, the lowest level of GCV was observed for fruit length, which was found to be 7.77). The estimate of genetic advance was highest for fruit weight (531.11g) followed by fruit diameter (18.85). Whereas, lowest genetic advance was observed for fruit length (4.49) and pulp weight (5.62).highest genetic gain was recorded in the fruit diameter(65.91 followed by seed diameter(54.27), pulp weight (40.01) and fruit weight(29.34) and lowest genetic gain was recorded in fruit length (14.45). The HCA analysis based on the ward’s method distance computed clustered the strains into five homogenous groups. The results further revealed that the TSS content varied from 3.19-5.167. The pH varied from 6.33–6.73 among different ecotypes. The titratable acidity varied from 0.793 – 1.690 per cent among all the ecotypes, Total protein ranged from 6.56 to 11.41 per cent. The moisture content ranged from 77.33 to 91.00 per cent. The ascorbic acid contents 25.77-36.72 and the total sugar contents varied from1.270-1.993 percent ranged. The estimates of PCV and GCV were high which indicate that selection can be effective for the improvement of these traits as the variability between genotypes for these traits was highly heritable.