Assessing variability in morphological traits of Jamun (Syzygium cumini (L.) skeels) genotypes

Abstract

The indigenous future fruit ‘Jamun’ is grown throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the country. Since vast genetic variability exists among the seedling populations, characterizing the germplasm to identify superior genotypes is essential for jamun crop improvement. In this background, morphological characterization of 14 jamun genotypes to know the variability was studied in randomized block design with three replications. Significant variability was observed for tree morphological traits such as plant height, canopy spread and leaf petiole length and fruit characters fruit length, fruit width and seed length. Variations were also observed on date of flower initiation, number of flowers and fruits set per panicle. Among the genotypes, a few with bold fruits with comparable TSS and pulp content, lesser plant height and canopy spread and early initiation of flowering such as IIHRJ-3, IIHRJ-14 and IIHRJ-12 were found as superior clones for utilizing the jamun crop improvement programs.