Screening of various pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) selections of Kashmir valley

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in order to document the available genetic variability of several morphological quantitative and qualitative characters, and to select elite pomegranate genotypes which have superior yield and quality traits. Intensive survey was conducted in different areas of district Srinagar between 2009 and 2010. Observations were recorded on morphological, physical and chemical characters, as per the standard procedure. Sizeable variability among the genotypes for different traits was observed. Plant height ranged from 2.34 to 4.78 m, plant spread was 1.24 to 2.47 m, suckering capacity was 4 to 42, yield per tree was 7.2 to 59.02 kg, yield efficiency was 0.20 to 2.21 kg cm-2, fruit length was 5.90 to 9.24 cm, fruit diameter was 6.54 to 9.84 cm, fruit weight was 133.80 to 463.75 g, total aril weight was 62 to 250 g, rind thickness was 1.81 to 3.64 mm, total soluble solids (TSS) was 11.50 to 16.00%, juice content was 25.59 to 62.37%, acidity was 0.30 to 0.57 %, ascorbic acid was 7.96 to 20.68 mg/100 g fruit, reducing sugar was 6.00 to 10.12%, total sugar was 7.24 to 12.92% and anthocyanin content was 9.14 to 19.30 mg/100 g fruit. This variability can act as a source for further improvement and development of high yielding varieties of pomegranate which suits the Kashmir condition. Key words: Pomegranate, survey, selection, genotypes, variability.