Morphological, Phytochemical and Molecular Characterization of Advanced Breeding Lines of Mysuru Mallige: An Overview
Venkatesha, S.C.
*
Regional Horticulture Research and Extension Centre, UHS campus, Bengaluru-560065, India.
Naveen, P.M.
Department of Biotechnology and Crop Improvement, College of Horticulture, UHS Campus, Bengaluru 560065, India.
Ramegowda, G.K.
Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, UHS Bagalkot, Mysuru-571130, India.
Sudarshan, G.K.
Department of Plant Pathology, Horticultural Research and Extension Centre (UHS Bagalkot), Arsikere 573122, India.
Rajeshwari, R.
Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, UHS campus, Bengaluru 560065, India.
Pallavi, H.M.
Seed Science and Technology, Seed unit, UHS Bagalkot, 587104, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Jasminum sambac (Mysuru Mallige), a Geographical Indication-tagged medicinal-aromatic flower crop, is vital for India's floriculture industry. This study characterized 30 advanced breeding lines (ABLs) for morphological, molecular, and phytochemical diversity to identify elite genotypes for yield and quality enhancement. Analysis of 16 quantitative floral traits revealed high genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV > 20%) for bud length (21.41%), corolla tube length (19.63%), number of whorls (74.31%), number of petals (47.31%), and bud weight (63.73%), coupled with very high broad-sense heritability (h²_bs > 80%) and genetic advance as percent of mean (GAM > 20%). Principal component analysis (PCA) captured 87.01% variance, primarily through whorls and petals. Mahalanobis D² statistics grouped ABLs into five clusters, with maximum inter-cluster distance (D² = 9063.85) between Clusters I and V; bud weight contributed 23.50% to divergence. Phenotypic correlations showed strong positive associations of bud weight with whorls (r_p = 0.92) and petals (0.84); path analysis confirmed whorls (direct effect = 0.55) and petals (0.32) as key yield drivers. Fifteen SSR markers detected low polymorphism (mean Na = 1.64, PIC = 0.12), forming two clusters aligned with whorl phenotypes. Phytochemical profiling indicated significant variation: total phenols (174.98–260.83 mg/100 g FW), flavonoids (73.21–117.08 mg/100 g FW), tannins (22.92–47.81 mg/100 g FW), and terpenoids (18.27–27.95 mg/100 g FW). Superior genotypes (e.g., COHM-UHSB-25 for yield, COHM-UHSB-14 for phenols) were pinpointed. Compared to prior jasmine studies, these ABLs exhibit enhanced heritability and phytochemical diversity, supporting targeted breeding for fragrant, high-yield cultivars.
Keywords: Jasminum sambac, genetic variability, SSR markers, D² analysis, phytochemicals, heritability, Mysuru Mallige