Morpho-physiological assessment and yield performance of Nerium (Nerium oleander L.) hybrids for ornamental improvement

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the performance of Nerium oleander L. F₁ hybrids for growth, flowering, and yield traits. The study was conducted at the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Bagalkot, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot during 2020-21 and 2021-22. Twenty hybrids derived from the cross combination UHSBN-12 × UHSBN-14 were evaluated for various morpho-physiological and floral attributes using a randomized block design. Significant variation was observed among hybrids for all the traits studied. Hybrid P-19 exhibited superior performance for plant height (243.0 cm), plant spread (E-W: 259.52 cm; N-S: 257.44 cm), number of primary branches (5.38), and hundred bud weight (34.86 g). Hybrid P-4 showed the longest leaf (21.72 cm), longest petiole (1.31 cm), and the highest flower yield (5.80 kg/plant). In contrast, hybrid P-11 recorded the lowest growth and yield performance. Marked differences in floral quality were observed, with hybrid P-1 producing the largest flower diameter (5.35 cm) and bud diameter (7.20 mm), while hybrid P-8 showed the least fresh weight loss (10.16%), indicating superior postharvest retention. The variation among hybrids may be attributed to genetic recombination resulting from diverse parental combinations and heterotic expression in F₁ progenies. These findings highlight the potential of specific hybrids such as P-4, P-19, and P-3 for use in future breeding and commercial ornamental cultivation programs in Nerium oleander.