Characterization of Indian walnut germplasm for nut and kernel traits

Abstract

In the present study, a total of 44 Indian walnut germplasms were evaluated for nut and kernel morphometric traits to characterize the seedling selections and study the genetic variability among the accessions. A wide range of variability for nut and kernel quantitative traits was observed. Nut length, nut diameter, nut weight, shell thickness, and the thickness of the dividing membrane, ranged from 30.42-50.04 mm, 28.93-47.87 mm, 8.74-21.68 g, 1.40-2.73 mm, and 0.16-1.42 mm, respectively. The kernel percentage among the studied Indian walnut germplasm ranged from 30.43 to 61.42%. The Bhushan genotype excelled with a shell whiteness index of 51.60, kernel size (similar to CITH-W-1), kernel weight of 12.99 g, and a kernel content of 61.42%. Overall, twelve selections, namely, Bhushan, PAD 1-23, CITH-W-6, CITH-W-8, CITH-W-12, CITH-W-16, CITH-W-17, CITH-W-22, Pusa Khor, W-1, W-2, and Gumma Selection-3, were identified as the most promising genetic resources for the crop improvement programmes.