Estimation of horticultural traits in Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) accessions of seedling origin from Ganderbal district of Kashmir valley

Abstract

Thorough survey was conducted in five different villages of Ganderbal district in Kashmir valley and ninety threepersimmon accessions of seedling origin were marked to study the horticultural traits. The results revealed vast diversity among persimmon accessions, wherein plant height, plant spread, trunk girth and TCSA varied from 4.39 m to 7.83 m, 3.03 m to 5.97 m, 16.30 cm to 5.60 cm and 21.15 cm2 to 246.13 cm2 , respectively. Plant growth habit was classified as upright in 24 plants, drooping in 38 plants and spreading in 31 plants. Leaf area varied from 51.72 cm2 to 158.41 cm2 with leaf shape as elliptic (36 plants), obovate (13 plants) and ovate (44 plants). Duration of flowering ranged between 7.00 and 12.00, however fruit set varied from 53.01 percent to 77.86 percent. Fruit physical parameters revealed that fruit weight, fruit length and fruit breadth ranged between 48.41 g to 199.63 g, 52.31 mm to 84.57 mmand 38.29 mm to 77.61 mm, respectively, whereas fruit firmness varied from 6.94 lb/inch2 to 11.74 lb/inch2 . Fruit shape
was observed as elliptic (36 plants), ovate (31 plants) and circular (26 plants). Total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total sugars, ascorbic acid, tannins and astringency index varied from 12.0oB to 18.0oB, 0.12 percent to 0.38 percent, 8.30 percent to 13.90 percent, 25.37 mg/100 g to 31.83 mg/100g, 0.22 mg/g DW to 0.77 mg/g DW and 0.32 to 3.74, respectively. Number of seeds per fruit varied between 2.67 to 4.67.A vast variation was observed for all the studied parameters and on that basis elite/superior accessions were selected for further study and utilize in further breeding programs.