Seed source Variations, Genetic Estimates and Cluster Analysis for Physio-chemical Fruit Characters of Himalayan Wild Pomegranate

Author: Divya Mehta* and Tara Gupta

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Abstract

Genetic improvement of the Himalayan wild pomegranate through seed source studies is essential to boost the tropical and sub-tropical pomegranate breeding programs. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out in Himachal Pradesh with a target to determine within and between seed source variations, genetic estimates for fruit characters and clustering pattern of the wild pomegranate genotypes. Eight seed sources each with three genotypes were selected and eighteen physio-chemical fruit characters were recorded. The data were then subjected to statistical analysis. For most of the fruit characters, Narag (S1) as well as the genotypes within the seed source performed best. Maximum environmental (36.7%), genotypic (41.56%) and phenotypic (50.68%) coefficient of variance were observed for aril moisture content, non-reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars, respectively. High heritability was observed for aril weight (0.63), total soluble solids (0.99), ascorbic acid (0.97), total su

Keywords

Wild pomegranate, seed sources, fruit characters, genetic estimates, cluster analysis.