Morphological Characterization of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Germplasm Using DUS Testing

Studies were carried out on mango varieties developed at Horticulture Garden, BAU Sabour to develop and document descriptors, during 2016-2017. The experiment was laid out in row column design with three replications having 24 varieties as treatments. Observations were recorded on various morphological parameters such as qualitative characters. From the observations made it was found that the mango varieties expressed the morphological variations from genotype to genotype. These morphological variations have the ability to distinguish between the mango varieties with each other. Descriptors were developed for 24 mango genotypes after observations. Among these genotypes, 5 morphological descriptors were developed and documented, which consist of 27 qualitative characters. Among the characters, five characters were developed for plant height, eight characters for leaf, five characters for inflorescence, five characters for fruit and four characters for fruit stones. The developed and documented descriptors will facilitate in plant variety registration, identification of genotypes and also in tree improvement programmes.