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Morphological
characterization of cashew
(Anacardium
occidentale L.) in
four populations in Malawi
Felix M.
Chipojola1*, Weston F. Mwase1, Moses
B. Kwapata1, James M. Bokosi2, Joyce
P. Njoloma1 and Moses F. Maliro2
1University
of Malawi, Bunda College of Agriculture, Department of
Forestry and Horticulture, P. O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.
2University
of Malawi, Bunda College of Agriculture, Department of Crop
Science,
P. O. Box
219, Lilongwe, Malawi.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
fmchipojola@yahoo.com.
Tel.: (265) 1 277 361. Fax: (265) 1 277 364.
Accepted
10 July, 2009 |
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An assessment of the genetic diversity in cashew (Anacardium
occidentale
L.)
would assist in planning for future selection of good high
yield germplasm that will produce nuts of high quality and
fetch high prices on the market. The genetic diversity and
relationship among 40 accessions of cashew collected from 4
populations (Liwonde, Nkope, Kaputu and Chikwawa) was
characterized using quantitative and qualitative traits.
The study results have revealed similarity values between 35
to 66%.
Analyses of
genetic similarity based on unweighted pair group method of
arithmetic averages (UPGMA)
grouped the 40 accessions into 4 clusters
with 14 sub-clusters and the principal component analysis
revealed that apple length, apple nut ratio, nut weight,
kernel weight, out turn percent and flower sex ratio
accounted for most of the variation. The variation could be
attributed to genetic history, ecogeographic origin and
selection for desired agronomic traits by farmers.
Accessions LW41, NE2, NE4, CH18 and PAL26 showed potential
for selection in nut and kernel weight and out turn percent
suggesting that this could be a valuable source of variation
for tree improvement programme in cashew nuts. The findings
suggest availability of broad genetic base that could be
exploited for future cashew selection and breeding in
Malawi.
Key words:
Accessions,
Anacardium occidentale,
clusters, population, UPGMA. |
