Studies on variability in physico-chemical characters of hatkora (Citrus macroptera Mont.) collections of Mizoram

A study was carried out to during 2010–2011 to identify the elite hatkora (Citrus macroptera Mont.) collections among its natural population from different districts of Mizoram. The ripe fruits of 15 selected collections were analyzed for physical parameters, viz., fruit weight, diameter, length, volume, specific gravity, peel weight, pulp weight, pulp: peel ratio, peel thickness, pulp thickness, No. of segments, seed No., seed weight and quality parameters, viz., juice, TSS, ascorbic acid, acidity, reducing, non-reducing and total sugars and sugar: acid ratio. The study reveals that there was significant variation among the collections in these particular traits. Individual fruit weight ranged from 332.00–654.44 g; fruit diameter 8.53–10.31 cm; fruit volume 283.33–584.67 cc; pulp weight 206.00–500.11 g; pulp: peel ratio 1.50–3.24 and seed number 9.33–23.6. Similarly, the chemical parameters also varied significantly among different collections. The juice content varied from 16.06–27.13%, ascorbic acid 36.47–49.77 mg/100 ml, acidity 6.20–8.85%, total sugars 5.31–7.33% and sugar: acid ratio 0.63–1.18. Wide range of variation in physico-chemical parameters of hatkora collections indicated the scope for individual plant selection based on these characters.