Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seed variability in Madhuca longifolia (Koenig) J. F. Macbride, a source of oil for use as bio-energy

  • Notes on Neglected and Underutilized Crops
  • Published:
Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Madhuca longifolia (Koenig) J. F. Macbride is native to India. Seeds contain 20–50% oil (Mahua oil) and the seed cake is used as manure. Mahua oil is used by rural communities for protection against storage pests. Almost all parts of this tree have medicinal properties. Four explorations and collection missions was conducted during July–October 2007 in Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry. This resulted in the collection of 55 accessions. Characterisation and analysis of 7 seed characters were done. The existence of enormous variability in seed length, thickness and 100 seed weight indicates scope for utilization of these accessions for selection of promising material for extraction of oil. Oil content of kernels has been evaluated. Kernel oil ranged from 44.43 to 61.50%. Three accessions IC556617 with 61.50, IC556632 with 60.80 and IC556632 with 60.55% of kernel oil are superior to the rest. Further collections in the site of these oil rich accessions are promising for more productive Madhuca longifolia genetic resources.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Conway TF (1960) Proceedings of a symposium on high oil corn. Department of Agronomy, University of Illionis, 29–32

  • Daniel JN, Hegde NG (2007) Tree-borne oilseeds in agroforestry. Paper presented in National Seminar on Changing Global Vegetable Oils Scenario: Issues and Challenges before India, January 2007, Hyderabad, India

  • Hanelt P, Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (2001) Mansfeld’s encyclopedia of agricultural and horticultural crops, vol 3. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Raina AK (1986) A critical appraisal of the potential petro-plantations for tomorrow. In: Srivastava HC, Vatsya B, Menon KKG (eds) Plantation crops—Opportunities and constraints. Vol. 1. Proceedings of the symposium on plantation opportunities in India. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was carried out under the ICAR network project on Tree-Borne Oilseeds for which the authors are thankful to the authorities of ICAR for sanctioning this project with NBPGR as one of the centres. We are thankful to the Dr. Hegde, Project Director, Directorate of Oilseeds, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad and to Dr. B. S. Dhillon, Former Director and Dr. S. K. Sharma, Director, NBPGR, New Delhi for support and guidance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources Regional Station, KAU P.O., Thrissur, Kerala, 680 656, India

    Z. Abraham, Sangita Yadav, M. Latha, S. Mani & S. K. Mishra

  2. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India

    Sangita Yadav & S. K. Mishra

Authors
  1. Z. Abraham
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sangita Yadav
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Latha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Mani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. S. K. Mishra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Z. Abraham.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Abraham, Z., Yadav, S., Latha, M. et al. Seed variability in Madhuca longifolia (Koenig) J. F. Macbride, a source of oil for use as bio-energy. Genet Resour Crop Evol 57, 619–623 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-010-9536-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-010-9536-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation