Genetic variability of star gooseberry in north east India

Abstract

Assessment of genetic variability is the prerequisite for development of improved genotypes through planned breeding programme. An investigation was carried out to identify superior genotypes of star gooseberry of Mizoram, India and to determine variability for physical and biochemical traits during 2017-2018. The matured fruits of 30 genotypes were analyzed for physico-chemical traits like fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit volume, specific gravity, pulp weight, pulp-seed ratio, pulp percentage, seed weight, moisture content, TSS, acidity, ascorbic acid, total sugars, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar, sugar : acid ratio, TSS : acid ratio. The study reveals that there was significant variation among the genotypes with respect to all these parameters. Out of all the genotypes, MZU-HAMP-SGS-3, MZU-HAMP-SGS-10 and MZU-HAMP-SGS-13, MZU-HAMP-SGS-19, MZU-HAMP-SGS-20, MZU-HAMP-SGS-21 showed the overall superiority in all the parameters. Therefore, from the present investigation, it can be concluded that MZU-HAMP-SGS-3, MZU-HAMP-SGS-10 and MZU-HAMP-SGS-13, MZU-HAMP-SGS-19, MZU-HAMP-SGS-20, MZU-HAMP-SGS-21 can be considered as elite star gooseberry genotypes for future improvement programme.