Evaluation of elite breeding lines of arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.) for higher yield

Abstract

Nutritionally, roots and tubers have a great potential to provide economical sources of dietary energy, in the form of carbohydrates. Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.) is an important starchy plant that has the potential utilization for food, industry and medicine. The study was undertaken at the Department of Vegetable Crops, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University to evaluate the growth and r yield characters of 13 elite arrowroot lines received from different parts of the country through All India Coordinated Research Project on Tuber Crops. The result showed some significant differences in growth characteristics and tuber yield. The significant differences for most of the morpho-physiological characteristics, plant height, number of tillers, number of tubers and tuber yield indicated the existence of genetic variability among populations. The significantly highest plant height was observed in TAr 18-8 (128.03 cm) which was on par with TAr 18-3, TAr 18-4, TAr 18-5, TAr 18-6, TAr 18-7 and TAr 18-14. The arrowroot lines TAr 18-5 and TAr 18-4 recorded significantly the highest value for the number of tubers (13.67) and biggest tuber weight (178.56 g). The significantly highest number of tubers per plant (9.44) and tuber yield (17.45 t/ha) were recorded in TAr 18-8.