Morphological variation of Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta (L.) Schott. (Poidnal kachu) germplasms in Bangladesh

Morphological Variation in Colocasia Germplasm

Abstract

Poidnal kachu upland taro substantially grown in Bangladesh and used as food, medicine, fodder and ornamental. This study, poidnal kachu collection, morphological characterization and genetic variation were undertaken. According to descriptors for taro (IPGRI), with some modifications, 13 morphological components were characterized to find the nature and extent of variability in the germplasms of poidnal kachu (upland taro). A significant differences and wide range of variation was recorded for most of the characters indicate the existence of variability among the germplasms. Maximum yield was achieved from CE-22, whereas minimum was from CE-20. Genetic advance of all characters was above 20% except leaf number and leaf breadth. Genotypic coefficients of variation values were lower or very close to than that of phenotypic coefficients of variation, indicating less influence on the environment in the expression of these characters and potentiality of selection. Effective breeding program depends upon the variation present in the gene pool for the yield enhancing traits. Selection is effective when magnitude of variability in the breeding population is enough. The outcome of study may be helpful in selecting yield contributing traits and enhancing the rhizome yield of taro.