Variability and character association analysis in identified mandarin germplasm

Twenty five genotypes of mandarin germplasm having wide range of diversity in different morphological characters of trees, fruits and quality levels were evaluated. A wide range of variability in fruit yield, tree height, tree volume, fruit weight, juice content, TSS, acid content and ascorbic acid were recorded. In character association analysis, fruit weight and fruit size were positively correlated. A positive correlation in acid content with fruit weight, fruit breadth, juice content and TSS was observed. Some introductions viz., Kinnow, Butwal, Fewtrell's Early, Fremont, Hazara and Kondanarum, Nagpur and Wilking showed promise. Out of these, Kinnow mandarin is being cultivated on commercial scale and Cleopatra is being used as a rootstock.