Characterization of New Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Hybrid Progenies Based on Morphological Traits

Abstract

Hybridization is the main method of obtaining genetic variation and breeding of new cultivars. Two parents selected for their desired characteristics were crossed to create genetic variation. One hundred and eighteen putative hybrids were generated by crossing two diverse parents, TRI 2043 which is characterized with high pubescence density, pigmented leaves, tolerant to blister blight disease, and TRI 3055 a non-pigmented, stem canker tolerant cultivar. A reciprocal cross was also made. Total progeny was characterized for five morphological traits; anthocyanin pigmentation in petiole, leaf vestiture, average number of pubescence of leaf, immature leaf colour, and petiole colour. Average number of pubescence in abaxil of the second leaf varied from 5 to 149 with the mean of 62. Parental cultivar TRI 2043 recorded the highest average number of pubescence and TRI 3055 had the lowest. Among the progenies, 93 individuals contained anthocyanin pigmentation in petiole, which was the characteristic feature of TRI 2043. Population was subjected to genetic analysis and the resultant dendrogram clearly categorized the progenies into four clusters. Significant variation was found among the individuals in the progeny. Forty individuals showed close resemblance with the parent TRI 2043 and 21 individuals grouped with cultivar TRI 3055. Rest of the individuals shared both parental morphological characteristics.