Morphological characterization of selected pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) genotypes from India

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the morphological characteristic of ten selected pomegranate genotypes from India. The genotypes were chosen based on their economic importance and genetic diversity. The results reported that, highest fruit weight was observed in Ganesh (394.19 g) followed by G-137 (358.18 g) and Jallore Seedless (340.03 g), while the lowest was recorded in ‘Daru/Wild Pomegranate’ (186.15 g). Similarly, aril weight was highest in ‘Ganesh’ (231.92 g) and ‘G-137’ (223.88 g), whereas ‘Daru/Wild Pomegranate’ had the lowest aril weight (78.02 g). In terms of seed yield per fruit, ‘G-137’ out performed all genotypes with the highest yield (9.41 g), followed by ‘Solapur lal’ (8.69 g) and ‘Ganesh’ (8.37 g). The lowest seed yield was found in ‘Daru/Wild Pomegranate’ (4.66 g), reflecting its generally smaller fruit size. The general means for fruit weight, aril weight, and seed yield per fruit were 278.89 g, 169.52 g, and 7.23 g, respectively. The analysis of yield-related traits among different pomegranate genotypes showed significant variability in fruit yield per tree (FY), fruit yield per hectare, seed yield per hectare (SY) and oil yield. ‘Solapur lal’ exhibited the highest performance across all parameters, with a fruit yield of 34.00 kg/tree, 24,480 kg ha-1, 615.50 kg ha-1 seed yield. Pomegranate genotypes in terms of 100-seed weight, seed length, seed width, and seed texture. ‘Solapur lal’ recorded -superior performance with the highest 100-seed weight (1.91 g), seed length (7.17 mm), and seed width (2.64 mm), indicating its potential for breeding programs aimed at improving seed traits. In contrast, ‘Daru/Wild Pomegranate’ recorded the lowest values for 100-seed weight (0.89 g), seed length (3.67 mm), and seed width (1.17 mm), but showed the highest seed texture score (69.15), reflecting a very hard seed type. ‘Mridula’ had the softest seeds (26.97), which may be desirable for fresh consumption.