Evaluation of cowhage (Mucuna pruriens L.) genotypes for growth and flowering characters in arecanut plantation under hill zone of Karnataka

An experiment was conducted to examine the performance of eight cowhage (Mucuna pruriens L.) genotypes for their growth and flowering parameters in arecanut plantation under hill zone of Karnataka. Significant differences were observed in genotypes with respect to growth and flowering attributes. The genotype Arka Dhanvantari recorded the maximum plant height (282.03 cm) and number of trifoliate leaves (71.03) at harvest. The maximum leaf area (20064.39 cm²), leaf area index (7.43) and leaf area ratio (246.25 cm²/g) was recorded in genotype Arka Dhanvantari. The maximum absolute growth rate (1.38 g/plant/day) and crop growth rate (5.12 g/plant/day) was recorded in genotype IIHR Selection-2. The days taken for first flowering and 50 per cent flowering were minimum (65.73 and 72.33, respectively) and maximum (132.20 and 140.67, respectively) in the genotypes Arka Aswini and Arka Dhanvantari, respectively. The maximum number of inflores cenceper plant (8.30) was recorded in genotype IIHR Selection-2. Genotype Arka Dhan vantari recorded maximum number of flowers per inflorescence (15.50) and inflorescence length (18.10 cm).