Variability in Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Selection of Superior Types among Local Pummelo (Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck) Germplasms from Mizoram, North East India

Thirty-five pummelo (Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck) genotypes were assessed with respect to their quality parameters considered most essential with respect to horticultural aspects. Among the genotypes, significant to highly significant differences were observed in all the parameters. Different fruit physical parameters such as weight, diameter, length, volume pulp weight, pulp thickness, pulp-peel ratio and seed number varied significantly among the genotypes. Similarly, there were high level of differences among the genotypes with respect to chemical parameters of the fruits. The juice content varied from 13.64% to 43.56%, vitamin C from 17.40 to 52.70 mg/100 ml, total soluble solids from 7.73% to 11.67%, acidity from 0.76% to 1.86%, total sugars from 7.47% to 9.95% and sugar-acid ratio from 4.88 to 12.58. The present study reveals that parameters such as weight of the fruit, length of the fruit, diameter, volume, pulp weight, pulp-peel ratio, juice, TSS, acidity, ascorbic acid, total sugars and sugar-acid ratio can be considered as selection criteria for future breeding programmes in pummelo. The high level of differences with respect to various physical and chemical parameters of the fruits shows the great scope for superior genotype selection based on these particular parameters for genetic improvement programmes in near future.