Abstract
The leaf morpho-anatomical studies were performed to assess the genetic divergence in mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) germplasm and for obtaining a strong descriptor (s) to help in easy identification among closely related genotypes during the year 2017–18. Morphological traits of mature leaves of mandarin accessions were observed on basis of citrus descriptors. Leaf chlorophyll content was determined with a SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter under field conditions. Morpho-anatomical attributes were analysed by optical and scanning electron microscopes.In our study, mandarin genotypes exhibited variation with respect to leaf anatomy and photosynthetic traits despite having same pedigree. PAU Kinnow-1, a mutant of Kinnow was clustered away from its parent probably due to multiple variations arising in the parent as PAU Kinnow-1 was developed through gamma irradiation treatment. Therefore, it is suggested from our findings that leaf characters may vary among apparently close genotype such as Kinnow and PAU Kinnow-1. Likewise, genotypes Kara and King exhibited disparate leaf morpho-anatomy characters though King is a parent of Kara. Similarly, the genotypes like Kara, King, Wilking, and Willow Leaf could be differentiated based on their leaf traits. Genotypes namely Fair Child and Sunburst formed clear distinct clusters on basis of the diverse morpho-anatomical attributes. The dendrogram clearly differentiated the genotypes irrespective of their pedigree and geographical area of origin. In FCA plot, mandarin genotypic differentiation was the main structural component defining the first axis (57.11% of total diversity) whereas the inertia for the second axis was 17.54 per cent. The higher genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variations were associated with higher heritability for petiole wing width, the number of open stomata and palisade parenchyma tissue length traits that may be more effective during selection.
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