Vol. 11, Issue 11 (2022)

An investigation was carried out on exploration and collection of local germplasm of Centella asiatica to ascertain the variability existed in coastal Karnataka. Twenty accessions were collected from different geographical regions of coastal Karnataka representing nineteen talukas of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts at an altitude ranging from 06 m to 129 m above mean sea level were morphological characterized for 13 qualitative traits using NBPGR descriptors. The results of the study revealed that all morphological traits showed high variability except leaf surface. The majority of the accessions (14 accessions) were observed to have semi-erect growth habit with only eight accessions being erect and none a prostrate growth habit. Twenty accessions exhibited a predominantly rosette type of leaf arrangement. There were significant differences in leaf morphology among the accessions studied, with the majority of the leaves being medium in size (18 accessions), orbicular shape (18 accessions) with crenate margin (14 accessions) with predominant strongly yellowish green coloured leaves (11 accessions). Petiole and flower characters showed significant variations as well. Most of the accessions had medium length (16 accessions) with thin petioles (12 accessions) and light pink coloration at the base (09 accessions). Light purplish pink colour stolon (07 accessions) with the hard texture of stolon (13 accessions) were dominant. The majority of the accessions exhibited light pink colour flower (08 accessions).