Assessment of Genetic Diversity through Morphometric and Biochemical Traits in Trapa natans var. spinosa Roxb. from Southwestern Uttar Pradesh, Etawah and Auraiya Districts, India
Kehar Raj *
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Waris Habeeb
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, 813210, India.
Deepa H. Dwivedi
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Rashmi Nandkishor Dongre
Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Ahmednagar, India.
Ashutosh Kumar
Department of Horticulture (Vegetable Science), KVK, Narkatiyaganj, RPCAU Pusa, Bihar, India.
Upendra Maurya
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology Meerut, 250110, India.
Darshana Patra
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha o' Anusandhan Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Subhash Verma
School of Agriculture, Eklavya University, Damoh (M.P.), Pincode-470661, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study evaluated genetic diversity in Trapa natans var. bispinosa Roxb. from southwestern Uttar Pradesh using morphometric and biochemical traits. During this study, twenty genotypes collected from Etawah and Auraiya districts showed significant variation in fruit. The morphometric parameters namely, length varied from 31.54mm to 51.62mm, breadth 47.48mm to 58.19mm, weight 15.27mm to 29.84mm, volume 17ml to 34.58ml, and specific gravity 0.8 to 1.26, expressed remarkable variation. Furthermore, a marked variation was also noted in biochemical parameters viz. pH ranged from 5.31 to 6.75, TSS 2.75 ºB to 6.76 ºB, ascorbic acid 2.75 mg to 6.76 mg/100g, total sugars 2.805 to 5.215 percent, reducing sugar 1.56 to 3.67 percent and the protein varied from 1.1 to 1.8 percent. The samples had green peel with rudimentary spines (e.g., S18, S20) exhibited superior yield traits, making them ideal for production-oriented breeding, whereas the red peel with rudimentary spines (e.g., S11, S12) had the highest ascorbic acid (up to 6.76 mg/100g) and sugar content, indicating their potential for nutraceutical and processing applications. Moreover, the samples had green peel with the both perfect and rudimentary spine dominated over the red peel once with respect of protein content and fruit breadth. Sample 6 (S6) recorded the highest protein (1.83%) and fruit breadth (58.19 mm), favoring fresh consumption. Genotypic differentiation based on spine and peel color provided a practical framework for targeted cultivar development. The study supports conservation, germplasm enhancement, and future breeding strategies for improving yield, nutritional value, and consumer appeal in water chestnut.
Keywords: Genetic diversity, biochemical, morphometric, rudimentary