Study on the genetic variability and adaptability of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) genotypes for development of desirable cultivars

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 19; no. 1; p. e0297202
• Main Authors: Alam, Md Ashraful, Roy, Srabanti, Rahman, Md Atikur, Islam, Md Riazul, Rahman, Md Mushfiqur, Obaidullah, Abu Jafor, Farid, Md Nasirul, Rahman, Md Marufur, Islam, Md Rafiqul, Mozumder, Shailendra Nath, Almalki, Riyadh S, Gaber, Ahmed, Hossain, Akbar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 01-01-2024; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adaptability; Agricultural production; Agricultural research; Analysis; Aquatic plants; Bangladesh; Cluster analysis; Clusters; Cosmetics; Cultivars; Curcuma - chemistry; Curcuma - genetics; Evaluation; Genetic aspects; Genetic variability; Genotype; Genotype & phenotype; Genotypes; Germplasm; Heritability; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Performance evaluation; Phenotype; Phenotypic variations; Research centers; Research facilities; Rhizomes; Seeds; Software; Spices; Turmeric; Variance analysis; Bangladesh; India
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297202

Turmeric, a globally cultivated spice, holds significance in medicine, and cosmetics, and is also a very popular ingredient in South Asian cuisine. A study involving 53 turmeric genotypes evaluated for rhizome yield and related traits at Spices Research Center, Bogura, Bangladesh over three years (2019-22). A randomized complete block design was followed with two replications. ANOVA revealed significant trait variations among genotypes. Genotype T0015 emerged as the highest yielder at 28.04 t/ha. High heritability (0.58-0.99) and genetic advance characterized plant height (PH), mother rhizome weight (WMR), primary and secondary finger weights (WPF and WSF), and yield per plant (YPP) across seasons. Genetic gain (GG) was prominent in these traits. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficient variations (GCV and PCV) (6.24-89.46 and 8.18-90.88, respectively) across three years highlighted mother rhizome weight's importance followed by numbers of primary finger (NPF), and WPF. Positive and significant correlations, especially with PH, WMR, WPF, and YPP, emphasized their relevance to fresh yield (FY). Multiple linear regression identified PH, number of mother rhizome (NMR) and WMR as key contributors, explaining 37-79% of FY variability. Cluster analysis grouped genotypes into five clusters with maximum distance observed between clusters II and III. The geometric adaptability index (GAI) assessed adaptability and superiority, revealing nine genotypes outperforming the best existing cultivar. Genotype T0117 as the top performer based on GAI, followed by T0103 and T0094. Mean rank analysis favoured T0121 as the best performer, succeeded by T0117, T0082 and T0106. The top ten genotypes (T0015, T0061, T0082, T0085, T0094, T0103, T0106, T0117, T0121 and T0129) were identified as superior based on yield and overall ranking, warranting further evaluation. These findings may induce a window for improving turmeric research and ultimately play a role in enhancing its cultivation and productivity.