Variability in bael (Aegle marmelos Corr.) accessions from Bihar and Jharkhand

Abstract

A survey was conducted in BIhar and Jharkhand to identify superior genotypes of bael (Aegle marmelos) in April and May 2004 and 2005. Some 36 genotypes (designated T 1 to T 36) with desirable fruit characters and bearing behaviour were identified. Fruit weight varied from 0.42 kg in T 28 to 2.25 kg in T15. Fruit length was highest in T2 and lowest in T 21. Fruit circumference was highest in T 10 and lowest in T 25. Skull thickness was highest in T15, T 24 and T 17, and lowest in T20. Pulp weight was highest in T 15, followed by T 2 and T 35 and lowest in T 28 . Pulp content, which ranged from 55.76 to 73.00%, was highest in T 21, T 10 and T11. Though the highest fruit weight was recorded in T 15, with 62.25% pulp content, the highest pulp content was recorded in T 21 which weighed 0.63 kg. Seed number per fruit was highest in T8 and lowest in T28. Seed weight varied from 2.13 g in T 28 to 717.80 g in T4. Skull weight ranged from 0.13 kg (T28) to 0.86 kg (T 15). Skull content ranged from 57.14 to 73.01%. TSS was highest in T21(48°brix). Titratable acidity was highest in T30. T 2 had the highest TSS/acid ratio (118.57). Total sugar content was highest in T 21(32.59%). Reducing sugar was highest in T9. T 25 had the highest sugar/acid ratio (104.25). Ascorbic acid was highest in T 9 and lowest in T21. Tannin content was highest in T 2 (5.31%). Total carotenoids ranged from 0.84 (T16) to 2.48 mg/100 g (T1). Based on the results, T 1, T 5, T 12, T 21and 36 were considered the most promising genotypes.