Metroglyph and index score analysis of morphological variations in dura oil palms

Forty high yielding dura palms (genotypes) developed from two indigenous dura × dura crosses were characterized morphologically for palm height, girth at 25 cm, sex ratio, number of developing fruit bunches, number of leaves, petiole width, petiole depth, number of leaflets, rachis length, leaflet length. Metroglyph and index score analyses were carried out for all these characters. Character-wise index score was assigned and total index score for each palm was calculated. Palm height had highest variance followed by rachis length. All the palms were grouped into nine clusters based on low, medium and high value of palm height and rachis length. Mean and SD for total index score of all palms were 19.65 and 4.51, respectively. Scatter diagram revealed that the nine clusters distinguished on the basis of morphological variation. The cluster V consists of nine palms, out of which six palms were close proximity to each other. Palms in other eight clusters showed scatterings, which indicated existence of morphological variation within clusters. Character-wise index score was assigned and total index score for each genotype was also calculated. Based on index scores, the genotypes were grouped into three clusters. The two divergent groups of genotypes with low and high index scores could be effectively used in future hybridization programme.