Correlation studies on growth behavior, fruit yield and quality of Chironji (Buchanania lanzan spreng) populations from natural forest northern India

Abstract

The research program conducted during 2022-23 and 2023-24 to survey chironji germplasm across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Gujarat. The study focused on districts including Chitrakoot, Lalitpur, Satna, Katni, Burhanpur, West Champaran, Rohtas, Dahod, and Panchmahal. Data were collected using minimal descriptors for characterization and evaluation of agri-horticultural crops and guidelines by PPV & FRA. Among the 74 chironji accessions, 47 accessions were spreading type, 24 accessions were upright type and 3 accessions were semi-spreading type. The maximum tree height (11.20 m) was recorded in accession BUAT-C-3, and the shortest (5.00 m) was recorded in accession BUAT-C-59. The widest E-W canopy spread 6.20 m was recorded in accession BUAT-C-35, and the narrowest 3.30 m, was noted in BUAT-C-3. For N-S spread, BUAT-C-46 exhibited the maximum spread of 6.16 m and BUAT-C-39 had the minimum spread of 3.19 m. BUAT-C-35 had the thickest girth, measuring 80.90 cm, while BUAT-C-64 had the thinnest girth i.e. 43.25cm. Maximum fruit yield kg/tree (30.50 kg/tree) was recorded in accession BUAT-C-35, while minimum (12.76 kg/tree) was noted in BUAT-C -64. The highest TSS (25.25 °B) was in BUAT-C-35, and the lowest (19.00 °B) was in BUAT-C-20, BUAT-C-52, and BUAT-C-53. The highest vitamin C content (63.31 mg/100 g) was in BUAT-C-35 and the lowest (45.34 mg/100 g) in BUAT-C-71. The heaviest kernel weight (95.00 mg) was in BUAT-C-35 and the lightest (46.00 mg) in BUAT-C-8. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships: canopy spread E-W and N-S was highly correlated with each other (r=0.914**) and with tree girth, average fruit yield, TSS, and average kernel weight. Tree girth showed positive correlations with average fruit yield (r=0.743**), TSS (r=0.401**), Vitamin C content (r=0.286*), and average kernel weight (r=0.297*). Average fruit yield was strongly correlated with TSS (r=0.495**), Vitamin C (r=0.471**), and average kernel weight (r=0.466**). TSS was significantly correlated with average kernel weight (r=0.383**) but not with Vitamin C (r=0.218NS). Vitamin C content was significantly correlated with average kernel weight (r=0.383**) respectively.