ARS | Publication request: Morphological and reproductive characterization of guar genetic resources regenerated in Georgia, USA

Submitted to: Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 25, 2010
Publication Date: February 18, 2010
Repository URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10113/44804
Citation: Morris, J.B. 2010. Morphological and reproductive characterization of guar genetic resources regenerated in Georgia, USA. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 10.1007/s10722-010-9538-8.

Interpretive Summary: Guar is used as a food stabilizer, nutraceutical/pharmaceutical additive, laxative, paper, oil well drilling, in the mining industry, processed cheese products, meat binder, meat products, pet foods, dressings, sauces and beverages. More than 1,200 accessions are conserved at the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit in Griffin, GA. Limited information for producing guar in Georgia is known. Variability for plant height, leaf texture, pod length, stem type, days to maturity, seed number and 100 seed weights occurred. Guar produced quality plants and more than 9,000 seeds at Griffin indicating that guar has potential for use in the southeastern U.S.

Technical Abstract: Guar, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba is used worldwide in food, laxatives, paper, oil well drilling, and in the mining industry. The USDA, ARS, PGRCU conserves 1,298 accessions originating from Pakistan and India. Guar accessions were directly planted to the field in Griffin, GA between early May and the second week of June 2006-2008. At 50% maturity, 73 accessions were characterized for morphological, phonological, and reproductive traits during the regeneration cycles. High quality plants regenerated from all accessions produced 100 to more than 9,000 total seeds. Guar can be successfully regenerated in Griffin, GA. Coefficients of variation revealed considerable variability among accessions for seed number, stem type and leaf texture. Sufficient variation among guar accessions exists for plant height, pod length, 100 seed weight, stem type, and seed number to warrant breeding programs for further guar cultivar development. Cluster analysis separated these guar accessions into 3 groups with one outlier based on low, intermediate, and high seed numbers produced.