Survey and selection of elite persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) genotypes from Central Kashmir

Abstract

Thorough survey was conducted in two different persimmon growing districts (Srinagar and Ganderbal) of Kashmir valley and ten persimmon selections were selected on the basis of fruit parameters and results revealed vast diversity among persimmon selections. Maximum fruit weight and volume of 235.44 g and 218.33 ml was recorded in selections UB-016 followed by DH-017 (229.33 g and 216.78 ml) and UB-013 (220.55 g and 207.50 ml) whereas minimum fruit weight and volume of (77.44 g and 56.32 ml) was recorded in selections BWL-011. Maximum fruit length and breadth (84.08 and 75.31 mm) was recorded in selections UB-013 which was at par with DH-017 (83.36 and 76.95 mm) while as, lowest fruit length and breadth of 41.18 and 55.01 mm was recorded in BWL-011 respectively. Specific gravity and flesh firmness of the fruits ranged between 1.05 to 1.37 and 3.41 to 7.74 kg/cm2. Total soluble solids varied from 13.20 to 22.50obrix and total sugars from 9.06 to 16.68 percent. Fruit with different shapes like oblong and round were recorded. External fruit color varied from greenish yellow to orange yellow. On the basis of the present study, two selections UB-016 and DH-017 were found to be promising in terms of fruit physical and bio-chemical characteristics.