Journal of FARM SCIENCES, Vol 31, No 5 (2018)

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Evaluation of exotic Macadamia (Macadamia spp.) genotypes for morphological and yield contributing traits

D. S. USHA, NAGARAJAPPA ADIVAPPAR, B. S. SHIVAKUMAR, D. THIPPESHA, D. LAKSHMANA

Abstract


Macadamia (Macadamia spp.) is an exotic fruit indigenous to Australia. Recently it is introduced to India andcultivated for its edible nuts by the growers. Demand for Macadamia nuts is growing over the years and there is no researchwork on this crop in Karnataka. Hence, an experiment was carried out to evaluate the Macadamia genotypes for morphologicaland yield contributing traits in existing orchards in farmers field in Gajanur village in Shivamogga district during 2017-18.The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications by involving 13 genotypes whichwere of seedling origin. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences in leaf length, and leaf marginal serrations.Significant differences were also observed among the genotypes for fruit cluster length, number of fruits per cluster, nutweight, nut diameter, shell weight, pericarp weight. These morphological and yield attributing traits are found to be reliablein distinguishing between the Macadamia cultivars. Significantly higher number of nuts per cluster (7.53), kernel weight(3.17 g) and nut yield per tree (16.16 kg) were recorded in genotype G-5.

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