Morphological variability in jackfruit grown under agro-forestry system of Tripura

Abstract

A study was carried out to assess the genetic varability in jackfruit grown in agroforestry homestead gardens of Tripura, India for selection of elite types of jackfruit germplasm. Forty two jackfruit genotypes were selected from 20 major jackfruit growing locations surrounded by forest. The genotypes of jackfruit was characterized by using 42 standardized morphological descriptors of International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI). Significant variation was found in tree size (5–30 m), fruit colour (greenish, yellowish, reddish yellow), fruit weight (1.5–10.5 kg), fruit yield (15–250 fruits/plant), fruit shape (round to long), pulp colour (creamy white to coppery red), pulp thickness and consistency (soft to firm), number of flakes (5–207/fruit), flake length (3–7 cm) and TSS (6–25°Brix). Variation was also observed in leaf size (8.5–17.78 cm), leaf width (4–10 cm), stalk length (5–30 cm), tree growth habit (erect to spreading type) and fruit bearing habit (regular/twice a year) at the tree age range of 10–55 years. Exterior rind colour varied from green to yellow-reddish yellow. Accessions were significantly different in respect to weight of seed and edible portion. Ten genotypes (WTJF-03, WTJF-02, WTJF-10, STJF-02, STJF-04, STJF-10, NTJF-02, NTJF-08, NTJF-11, DJF-09) out of 42 genotypes were found superior type on the basis of fruit shape, pulp quality, TSS of pulp, rind: pulp: seed ratio and seasonal availability. The results suggest that selected elite genotypes of jackfruit can be used for vegetable, dessert, processing purposes and also to conserve and use them for breeding programmes for development of superior cultivars.