Study of Phenotypic Variability of Kachnar (Bauhinia spp.)

Abstract

An investigation to Study of phenotypic variability of Kachnar (Bauhinia spp.) was conducted in the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, IGKV Raipur, Chhattisgarh, during the Rabi season of 2021–2022. Five species for the study were Bauhinia purpurea, Bauhinia acuminata, Bauhinia blakeana, Bauhinia tomentosa and Bauhinia variegata. Different growth characteristics including plant, leaf, flower, and fruit traits, were recorded. According to the findings, Bauhinia purpurea had the tallest plants followed by Bauhinia blakeana, Bauhinia variegata, Bauhinia acuminata, and Bauhinia tomentosa. The longest and widest leaf was measured in Bauhinia purpurea 14.91and 12.04 respectively. Smallest and narrowest leaf was recorded in Bauhinia tomentosa 4.71 and 4.20 respectively. Among all the five species of Bauhinias highly pubescent leaf was discovered in Bauhinia tomentosa only. The Bauhinia acuminata's 3.96 long petiole had the record for being the longest while the Bauhinia tomentosa's 2.10 petiole had the smallest. The Bauhinia blakeana flower measuring 13.160.07 cm had the largest flowerdiameter while Bauhinia tomentosa 3.91 0.41 cm was the smallest. The only Bauhinia species with a pubescent flower bud was Bauhinia tomentosa. Longest petal, stamen and pistil length recorded in Bauhinia blakeana measuring 7.09, 4.8 and 6.91 respectively. Maximum pod length measuring 29.33 and maximum number of seeds per pod 11.90 was recorded in Bauhinia purpurea and minimum pod length measuring 9.25 in Bauhinia acuminata. Minimum number of seeds per pod recorded in Bauhinia acuminata. Bauhinia blakeana did not produce any pods as these species were infertile. The maximum seed weight was recorded in Bauhinia purpurea 30±0.87g and minimum in Bauhinia tomentosa 3.35±0.44g.