Variability studies of physico-chemical properties of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) using a scoring technique

Introduction. India is the largest producer of pomegranate in the world, with rich genetic diversity. The wide range of utility of pomegranate in human health, nutrition and livelihood security has triggered its heavy demand in India and other countries. At present, more than 300 germplasm accessions from indigenous and exotic sources are available in India, but meagre information on the physico-chemical properties of their fruits is available. In our study, the physico-chemical properties of varieties grown under a semi-arid climate were investigated. Materials and methods. Our study was carried out at the experimental farm of the National Research Centre on Pomegranate, Solapur, India, during the harvests of 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. Twenty pomegranate varieties were studied with respect to the physico-chemical properties of their fruits. Results and discussion. A considerable variation (coefficient of variation: 3.37% to 101.13%) was observed with respect to the 16 characters studied. The values ranged from 12.64 Brix to 15.39 Brix for TSS; 0.38% to 3.40% for acidity; 16.67 g to 27.82 g for 100-aril weight; 4.31-38.62 for the maturity index; 59.22% to 77.40% for aril percentage; and 43.30% to 61.00% for juice percentage. Fruit size, rind weight, total aril weight, 100-aril weight, juice weight and aril width were found to have a strong positive correlation (P < 0.01) with fruit weight. Based on the total index score obtained, the varieties 'Bassein Seedless', Dholka', 'Ganesh', 'Jyoti', 'Kandhari', 'KRS', 'Mridula' and 'P-13' were found to be suitable for processing and table purposes.