At the Horticultural Research Station, located in Pechiparai, Kanyakumari district, an investigation was conducted during 2018 to 2021 to assess the garcinia germplasm maintained at the station along with the local check of Pechiparai. They were assessed for their growth character viz., tree height, fruit characters, major pest and disease infestation. The study showed that the accession Acc. Gg 9 was identified as best performer as it exhibited favourable characters for yield and growth when compared with the local check and also recorded lower level of pest and disease infestation. In the current investigation, 11 garcinia accessions were analysed through principal component analysis to assess genetic divergence, pattern of variation present in the germplasm and relationship between the tested individuals. The first two principal components contributed desired eigen values and exhibited 71.20 % of the total variability in the observed characters. The genotypes ACC. Gg 9 showed high positive values. The cluster analysis displayed totally four major clusters viz., I, II, III and IV consisting of 3, 1, 6 and 1 accessions accordingly. For a breeding programme in garcinia accessions, it can utilise the accessions from the diverse clusters. With regard to correlation studies, the traits viz., number of fruits per tree, rind thickness, tartaric acid have expressed significant and positive correlation values with yield per tree. Challenges in this investigation include addressing the complex analysis of multiple growth and genetic parameters in 11 garcinia accessions, ensuring effective utilization of diverse clusters for breeding programs, and navigating the intricacies of correlation studies to enhance the selection process based on key traits. Therefore, selection based on these characters will increase the effectiveness. With respect to the DNA fingerprinting analysis concluded that RAPD markers can be used for DNA fingerprinting of Kudampuli cultivar PPI (K) 1 and local accession. Among the RAPD markers, OPA03570 can be used to differentiate PPI (K) 1 from the local check.

Garcinia, principal component analysis, cluster analysis, correlation analysis, DNA Fingerprints

The aim of this work was to characterise and evaluate the morphological in order to determine the genetic diversity of G. gummi-gutta accessions. For genetic diversity to be conserved, we need a better understanding for its distribution. The results of this investigation showed that the Acc. Gg 9 was identified as the best performing garcinia accession as it exhibited desirable characters in terms of yield and fruit characteristics with a compact height making harvest easy. Also, on comparison it outperformed the local check in most of the characters and had low incidence of pest and disease. Outcrossing, which resulted in gene flow both within and between populations and may have contributed to the high amount of variation shown in these accessions (G. gummi-gutta's method of pollination may include insects), may have occurred. A high tree to tree intraspecific variation even within the same geographical zone has been previously reported for G. gummi-gutta (Parthasarathy et al., 2014). This report could be useful in efficient management of G. gummi-gutta germplasm for their conservation and optimal utilization. Further studies using larger number of accessions from different geographical locations of India could provide better understanding of the genetic diversity of G. gummi-gutta. In garcinia accessions the STAR (Computer software) was used for this principal component analysis and cluster analysis. Total 11 accessions were evaluated in the analysis. From the results, out of 11 accessions ACC. Gg 9 had high diversity. Among the characters tree height, number of fruits per tree, yield per tree, rind thickness, rind dry recovery, hydroxy citric acid and tartaric acid showed shown significant variations. In cluster analysis, there performed four clusters. Among the four- cluster IV cluster showed ACC. Gg 9 genotypes had high diversity comparing other genotypes. Here, the value of cophenetic correlation coefficient was 0.914 that showed the high efficiency of the clustering pattern. With regard to correlation association analysis in garcinia accessions, the characters such as number of fruits per tree, rind thickness, tartaric acid have expressed significant and positive correlation values with yield per tree. Therefore, selection based on these characters will increase the effectiveness. With respect to the DNA fingerprinting analysis concluded that RAPD markers can be used for DNA fingerprinting of Kudampuli cultivar PPI (K) 1 and local accession. Among the RAPD markers, OPA03570 can be used to differentiate PPI (K) 1 from the local check.

S.T. Binisundar, G. Ashokkumar, P.Rajarathinam, A. Jaya Jasmine and S. Vasanth (2023). Genetic variability Studies and Molecular Characterization of Garcinia (Garcinia gummi-gutta L.) Germplasm for Yield and Quality Traits. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(11): 280-288.