Morphological Characteristics of Makhana Germplasm of Manipur under Darbhanga Conditions
Abstract
Makhana (Fox Nut or Gorgon Nut) botanically it is known as Euryale ferox Salisb is a flowering belongs to family Euryalaceae (Nymphaeaceae). Makhana is grown in both field and pond conditions. Seed is sweet and sour in taste, astringent herb that acts as a tonic for the kidney and spleen. The seeds are mostly used as a stomachic and for treatment of articular pains, micturition and seminal loss. All the germplasms selected for study were from Manipur. A research trial was carried out in the experimental plots of the Research Center for Makhana, Darbhanga (Bihar). Its commercial cultivation is limited to North Bihar, Manipur, parts of West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. In the state of Bihar, approximately, 80% of total production of processed Makhana comes from Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnia and Katihar districts alone. Area under makhana cultivation is about 13,000 ha. It was recorded that germplasm number 10 registered the highest fresh (14.342) and dry (1.148 kg) yield of biomass. However, the lowest fresh (4.214 kg) and dry (0.464 kg) biomass yield was recorded with the germplasm number 4.References
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