Guava (Psidium guajava L) is one of the commercially important fruit crops being cultivated in India. Of late, red pulp varieties are getting commercial importance due to its consumer preference. However, red pulp varieties are having higher number of seeds with bold seed size, which limits its wide acceptance. Hence, in the present study it is focussed to identify genotypes with deep pink or red colour pulp with few soft seeds. From 337 half sib progenies of guava var. Arka Kiran established during 2013-2014, twelve half sib progenies were chosen for their appealing fruit colour and individual fruit weight and tree yield. Among the half sib progenies, PG 5-8 recorded maximum plant girth and height while it was least in PG 1-7 which is preferred trait for high density planting. Fruit yield was highest in PG 32-1 (22.48 kg/plant) closely followed by PG 24-6 (22.45 kg/tree) while yield was lowest in PG 32-3 (8.81 kg/tree). Fruit weight was maximum in PG 32-1 (234.00 g) followed by PG 24-6 (228.60 g) and PG 1-7 (210.00 g) while it was least in PG 32-3(90.00 g). Highest total soluble solids (12.6°Brix), ascorbic acid (203.78 mg/100 g) and total sugars (6.72%) were noticed in PG 1-7 and the fruits of this half sib progeny had less number of seeds (325 seeds) when compared to Arka Kiran (384) and moderate titratable acidity (0.28% citric acid). The trunk girth was positively and significantly associated with fruit yield in a study of correlation among different yield contributing factors in half sib progenies. Based on yield and fruit quality attributes, PG 1-7 was found to be the best for commercial exploitation.

Guava, half sib progenies, selection, physico-chemical characters, correlation.

Based on the findings of present study, it could be inferred that guava genotypes differ greatly in terms of morphological and physico-chemical traits. In the investigation of several physico-chemical parameters of half sib progenies of the guava variety Arka Kiran, the half sib progeny PG 1-7 was found to be the best in terms of highest intensity of fruit pulp colour, yield, and fruit quality besides seed attributes. According to the results of the correlation studies, higher stem girth, among other features, contributed to higher yields and hence, it could be utilised as a preselection strategy in guava breeding programmes.

Sanjana U., M. Kavino, J. Auxcilia and M. Raveendran (2022). Evaluation of Half Sib Progenies of Guava var. Arka Kiran for Fruit Yield and Quality. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(2): 1451-1455.