MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATIONIN FRUITS AND SEEDS OF BALANITES ROXBURGHIIPLANCH (HINGOTA) IN SEMI-ARID REGION OF RAJASTHAN

Abstract

Balanites roxburghii Planch locally known as Hingota, a native of India and Pakistan is underutilized wild tree of arid areas, however have also several medicinal uses since ages. The fruit contain saponin and therefore locally used to wash clothes. Its seed has also great potential to provide feedstock for biodiesel production. A preliminary survey was conducted to investigate morphological variation among fruits and seeds. The fruits were collected from 3 different locations of Pali-Marwar region (Khati khera, RRS Pali farm and RMSE area). Fruit morphological characteristics were recorded followed by soaking in water for 7 days to extract seeds. High variation was observed between trees as well within tree for shape, size, colour and weight of fruits and seeds. Three different types of shape in fruits (elliptic, ovoid and spherical) and seeds (elliptic, oblong and spherical) were observed. Fruit did not show colour variation, however, seed colour ranged from yellowish to dark brown. The fruit length, fruit width and fruit weight varied from 3.4 cm to 5.5 cm, 2.9 cm to 4.5 cm and 16 to 40 g respectively, while seed length, width and weight varied from 2.9 cm to 4.7 cm, 1.9 cm to 3.1 cm and 8.3 to 19.93 g respectively. Highest coefficient of variation was found in length (18.3 for fruits and 21.7 for seeds) as well as weight (23.54 for fruits and 24.48 for seeds) of fruits and seeds collected from different trees, however, it was highest for only weight of fruits and seeds (17.76-19.44 for fruits and 13.59-20.91 for nuts) collected from same trees, indicating variation between trees. It is concluded that, there is considerable variation in fruit and seed of hingota offering opportunities for selection there by spreading more scope for conservation and utilization.