VARIABILITY AMONG FLORAL TRAITS AND POLLEN RECOVERY IN COCONUT (COCOS NUCIFERA L.) VARIETIES UNDER ASSAM CONDITIONS OF NORTH EAST REGION OF INDIA

Fifteen coconut varieties, including dwarf, tall, and hybrid types, were studied for floral traits.Significant differences were observed in inflorescence length, stalk girth, stalk length, spikelet-bearing portion length, spikelet length, number of spikelets per inflorescence, number of male and female flowers, weight of 1000 male flowers, pollen recovery, and number of inflorescences.The hybrid Kera Sankara exhibited superior inflorescence length, number of spikelets per inflorescence, spikelet-bearing portion length, number of female flowers per inflorescence, and number of male flowers per spikelet.Additionally, WCT and Chandra Laksha varieties produced the most inflorescences per month and the highest pollen recovery, respectively.Significant positive correlations were found between inflorescence length and girth as well as stalk length, fresh and dry weights of 1000 male flowers, and spikelet length and inflorescence.Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that the first three components accounted for 81.33% of the total variation, showing significant genetic variability among the coconut varieties, notably in GBGD and Fiji Tall.These findings highlight the importance of floral traits in genetic diversity and provide valuable insights for coconut breeding programs.