Genetic variability of kazhappai kizhangu (Gloriosa superba L.) in Tamil Nadu assessed using morphological and biochemical traits

Abstract

Gloriosa superba is a climbing medicinal herb with seeds and tubers containing valuable alkaloids viz., colchicine and colchicoside. Morphological and biochemical traits were employed for characterizing 18 germplasm accessions of G. superba representing different geographical regions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Results indicate high variability in morphological and biochemical parameters. Colchicine concentrations ranged from 0.04 % in ‘Kallimanthayam wild’ to 1.32 % in ‘Andhra wild’.