Phenotypic characterization of Cotoneaster germplasm in the Kashmir Himalayas

The current study aimed to assess the morphological diversity in wild Cotoneaster germplasm from the Kashmir Himalayas, India. Extensive field surveys were conducted in different areas of Kashmir Valley during 2020–2023 for identification and characterization of Cotoneaster germplasm. A total of 34 populations, encompassing seven Cotoneaster species C. microphyllus, C. nummularius, C. nummularioides, C. roseus, C. horizontalis, C. confusus, and C. affinis, were identified and plant samples collected for morphological research. A total of 37 vegetative and reproductive parameters (including 17 quantitative and 19 qualitative characters) were reported for all populations for the evaluation of morphological differences. Principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis, and descriptive statistics were used to examine phenotypic variability and species relatedness. Among the quantitative characters analysed, the leaf length showed the highest coefficient of variation (CV = 78.25%), while the sepal number showed the lowest CV (3.97%). Among the qualitative traits, the maximum variation was observed for leaf apex, petal apex, and growth form. The results of the PCA showed that 94% of the total variance was accounted for by the first five components. Interestingly, a strong positive association was found between leaf length and other traits such as leaf breadth, petiole length, number of flowers per inflorescence, stipule length, and stamen length. Cluster analysis effectively grouped the Cotoneaster populations into two main clusters and several subgroups, underscoring substantial morphological variation within the germplasm. These results underline the considerable potential of developing favourable trait combinations present in the wild Cotoneaster germplasm of Kashmir Himalaya.