Characterization of apple germplasm: Insight to trait variability and selection

Abstract

The investigation entitled on “Characterization of Apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) Germplasm” was carried out in order to document and characterize the apple germplasm growing at Bhaderwah region of J&K. The germplasm under study comprised of forty-eight apple genotypes to analyse biochemical variability. Among the biochemical characters, Wide range of variation was observed for various biochemical attributes. Range of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total sugars, pectin content, anthocyanin and total phenols ranged between 9.95 oB in BA-18 to 13.12 oB in BA-1, 0.21 percent in BA-15 to 0.80 percent in BA-4, 9.55 percent (BA-19) to 12.23 percent (BA-1), 9.62 percent (BA-44) to 13.75 percent (BA-1) and 44.21 percent (BA-40) to 84.67 percent (BA-10) respectively. Based on the findings of the investigation, it is concluded that high diversity existed for biochemical characters among the apple germplasm growing at Bhaderwah region of J&K. The seedling origin plants were distinct from the commercial cultivars of apple. The identified promising seedling strains can be used for further breeding programme in order to enhance the production and quality of apple in J&K in general and Bhaderwah region, in particular.