Genetic diversity in fruit characters of kokum (Garcinia indica (Choisy) Thouars) in Goa,

Abstract

The tremendous genetic diversity of kokum existing in Goa state has not been scientifically documented. Such rich diversity is posed to dangerous threats of genetic erosion due to urbanization and other developments. Systematic identification, documentation and conservation of genetic diversity of kokum either ex situ or in situ are the need of the hour. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the genetic diversity using morphological traits and to identify the plus trees or mother trees for better fruit charactersAmong the accessions studied, average fruit weight ranged from 6.80 g to 47.60 g. Fourteen accessions were found in the promising cluster for fruit weight above 30 g. The two most promising accessions are Borim-2 from Ponda taluk and Kasarpal - 5 from Bicholim taluk. Average of observations on fruit length ranged from 1.19 (Acc.No. 224) to 4.36cm (Acc.No. 194) with a mean value of 2.63cm. The average fruit diameter varied widely from 1.80 (Acc.No. 188) to 5.51cm (Acc.No. 194) with a mean fruit diameter of 2.97 cm. The highest range of fruit diameter 4.80 to 5.50 cm was found in Bicholim and Pernem taluks. Such geographical pockets are rich potentials for future selection and evaluation. Among 268 accessions studied for fruit shape, 0.75 per cent had spherical fruits with pointed ends, 1.12 per cent had conical, 2.24 per cent had pear, 7.09 per cent had oblong and 88.81 per cent had spherical fruit shape