Vol. 10, Issue 1 (2021)

Author(s):
L Pugalendhi and A Abdul Latheef

Abstract:
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) assumes greater importance in the tropics and subtropics owing to its high economic value contributing substantially to the agricultural exports at global and national levels. India accounts to about 50% of the world’s mango production. In crop improvement programme, high heritability generally enables the breeder to select plants on the basis of the phenotypic expression. However, the heritability estimates are often subjected to genotype-environment interaction. Hence, estimation of genetic advance is required for expected genotypic progress of a particular character. Evaluation of open pollinated mango seedling progenies was carried out from 2019-2020 in farmer’s field, Annur, Coimbatore. Variability present among the twenty five genotypes was studied through morphological markers, yield parameters, quality attributes and by molecular markers. The assessment was carried out during three consecutive seasons (2019-2020). The study revealed that all the genotypes registered polyembryonic traits which were confirmed through morphological traits. All the genotypes flowered throughout the year and fruit matured at March - May, August - November and December – February. Among the genotypes, Annur 3, Annur 5 and Annur 8 recorded uniformity in flowering throughout the year with increased yield and fruit quality attributes. The study revealed that, among twenty five genotypes, Annur 5 was found to be most promising genotype with maximum number of panicles (548 Nos/ tree), number of fruits (453 Nos/ per tree), fruit weight (110.5 g), fruit length (8.35 cm), fruit width (16.80 cm), TSS (14.2°Brix) and total sugars (14.35 per cent). This genotype can be recommended for culinary purpose.