Characterization of Citrus Rootstocks Under Sriganganagar Conditions of Zone 1B

Abstract

Investigation was carried out to evaluate and characterize the available citrus rootstocks and to find out the genetic variability and correlation in between the qualitative/quantitative traits. Fully grown, eleven Citrus types i.e. C. maderaspatana, C. jambhiri var. Mitthi, C. Pectinifera, C. Reshni T, Citrumelo (P. trifoliata x C. sinensis), Carrizo Citrange (P. trifoliate x C. paradisi), C. limonia, C. Karna, C. aurantium, C. Jambhiri var. Jatti-katti and C. limon var. Bhadri Lemon were selected for the study. These exhibited variation for different physico-chemical fruit and seed attributes. Variation in seed characters were also recorded for seed shape, number and colour of cotyledons. Variation were noted for quantitative traits like fruit length (24–210 mm) fruit weight (19–1883 g), TSS (7–10); seed length (7–16 mm), hundred seed weight (16–31 g) and seed number per fruit (2–55). In character association analysis, positive and significant correlation were recorded for fruit weight with fruit size, seed weight with seed size and seed weight with seed germination. Thus, the study revealed that significant amount of genetic variability exists among the available rootstocks. Genetic variability and inter relationship of characters may lead to effective selection of rootstock for commercial multiplication and further improvement programme of citrus plants.