Genetic analysis of stomatal density and leaf area in acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia swing.)

Highly significant variation for stomatal density, leaf area and stomatal number per leaf was observed in 27 acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swing.) clones. They were grouped into low, medium and high density categories bued on their stomatal density. No appreciable differences among the clones for stomatal size were observed. The genotypic coefficient of variation for all the characteristics were higher than the respectively phenotypic coefficient of variation. High heritability was observed for stomatal density, indicating lower influence of environmental factors on this characteristic. The lower GA estimated for stomatal density indicated that the heritability for the characteristic may be of nonadditive nature. Correlation studies revealed negative association between stomatal density and leaf area. The role of stomata determining several properties in plants, such as, tolerance to diseases and drought, plant vigour and yield, indicated scope for selection and breedingin acid lime by applying selection pressure for stomatal density.