Genetic divergence in jamun under semi-arid ecosystem of western India

An investigation was undertaken to evaluate the performance of 26 genotypes of jamun under rainfed hot semi -arid ecosystem of western India during 2014 and 2015. These genotypes were studied to observe the variability in respect to vegetative growth, flowering and fruit quality attributes under hot semi -arid conditions. The vegetative growth in terms of annual extension growth varied between 35.15-60.00 cm being the lowest in CHESJ-2 and the highest in CHESJ-17. The period of panicle emergence and flowering was recorded in February in almost all the genotypes. Panicle length ranged from 10.12 to 15.12cm. The peak period of fruit set was noticed in between 1 f- 3rd week of March, whereas fruit ripening started from 'Ist week of May and continued up to 4th week of June in different genotypes. Flower length, flower breadth, calyx tube length, calyx tube breadth, petal length, petal breadth, stamen length, style length, ovary length and ovary breadth ranged between 09.23-13.42mm, 09.12-10.46 mm, 7.56-9.07 mm, 4.20-5.17 mm, 4.02-5.24 mm, 3.00-4.09 mm, 5.22-9.07 mm, 7.23-8.94 mm, 3.00-3.63mm and 2.00-2.72mm respectively. Pollen viability and pollen germination ranged from 90.20-98.00 % and 23.00-37.53 % respectively in different genotypes. The maximum fruit yield (59.50 kg/ plant), pulp content (84.17%), TSS (16.60 brix), total sugar (10.23%) was recorded in CHESJ-2, while fruit weight (19.77g) was recorded the maximum in CHESJ-8. Based on the various desired horticultural traits, the genotypes, CHESJ-2 and CHESJ-8 were found to be promising and released as Goma Priyanka and Thar Kranti, respectively at Institute level.