Elucidating diversity among mango (Mangifera indica L.) hybrids based on morphological characters using DUS guidelines Kumar Gulshan1, Srivastav Manish1,*, Sreekanth H.S.1, Prakash Jai1, Singh Sanjay K.1, Vinod2 1Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India 2Division of Genetics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India *Author for correspondence: mns_fht@rediffmail.com
Online Published on 21 February, 2024. Abstract Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is adored by people owing to its delicious taste, aroma, sugar acid blend, attractive fruit and nutritional value. In the present investigation, genetic diversity among 24 mango hybrids bred at ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute was observed using 11 quantitative and 16 qualitative traits as per the DUS guidelines on mango. Hybrids showed significant differences for leaf, inflorescence, panicle and fruit attributes. The maximum leaf area was recorded in H-4-8 (101.99 cm2) and only two categories of leaf blade shapes were observed among hybrids. Most of the hybrids (91.6%) showed the presence of twisting leaf blade except H-3-2 and H-4-8. Pusa Manohari had the maximum anthocyanin coloration of rachis. Pusa Pratibha bloomed earliest, whereas Pusa Lalima showed earliest fruit maturity among hybrids. The maximum fruit weight and length (336.44 g, 14.56 cm) were observed in Mallika. Petiole length, leaf area, leaf blade length, leaf blade width and inflorescence width were recorded as highly diverse traits among mango hybrids. Results indicated that four superior hybrids, viz., H-4-8, NH-17-4, NH-18-4 and Pusa Arunima depicted strong peel chrominance which was majorly associated with export markets and consumer acceptance. The UPGMA dendrogram based on K-clustering grouped mango hybrids in to two major clusters. DUS fingerprint was generated using 16 qualitative traits. These would be helpful in the identification of these hybrids precisely. The information generated in the present study has significance in the conservation, cultivar improvement, protection and utilization of mango hybrids in future. Top Keywords Clustering, DUS guidelines, Fingerprint, Hybrids, Mangifera indica, Mango. Top |