Studies on variability and biochemical characters of guava (Psidium guajava L.) genotypes in West Garo Hills region of Meghalaya

Abstract

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is one of the most cultivated fruit tree crops in tropics and subtropics. It is an important commercial fruit in India. It belongs to the family Myrtaceae which comprises at least 150 genera and more than 5650 species. It is also known as the Apple of Tropics and Poor man’s Apple as it is very rich and cheap source of Vitamin C. It is an important commercial fruit in India. Genotype WGHG-06 exhibited the highest qualitative characteristics with 11.98 ºBrix in total soluble solids (TSS), 158.61 mg/100 gm of ascorbic acid, and a TSS to acid ratio of 42.79. In contrast, genotype WGHG-01 showed the highest total sugar content at 6.69%, with 3.56% reducing sugar and 2.62% non-reducing sugar. Genotype WGHG-18 recorded the highest titratable acidity at 0.59%. Conversely, WGHG-18 had the lowest values for TSS (7.48 ºBrix), total sugar (2.92%), reducing sugar (1.64%), non-reducing sugar (0.82%), ascorbic acid (81.69 mg/100 gm), and a TSS to acid ratio of 12.68. Titratable acidity was also lowest for the genotype WGHG-06 at 0.28%. The analysis of variances was significative for all the traits, indicating the existence of adequate variability for each trait in the accessions evaluated. Based on fruit length, fruit weight, TSS and ascorbic acid accessions from Wadanang-Alotgre (WGHG-06) was best followed by accession from Rongram (WGHG-01) and they can be used for conservation, domestication, multiplication and for breeding programs The significant variability observed among the accessions provides a valuable resource for genetic improvement of guava in the West Garo Hills region.