Genetic diversity and characterization of pummelo (Citrus grandis L.) genotypes in Devanahalli, Karnataka, India
1Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture (COH), Bengaluru, University of Horticultural Sciences (UHS), Bagalkot, Karnataka, India. 2Department of Biotechnology and Crop Improvement, COH, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India. 3Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, COH, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India. 4Department of Entomology, COH, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India. 5Department of Vegetable Science, COH, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India. Corresponding e-mail: shivkoti36@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2025.v27i04.105
Pummelo (Citrus grandis L.) is an underutilized fruit crop in India, bearing the largest fruit among the citrus fruits, which includes the Geographically Indicated Devanahalli Pummelo of Karnataka. This study assessed the diversity of pummelo in the Devanahalli region of Karnataka, where cultivation remains limited despite its unique characteristics. The survey identified 40 genotypes based on morphological traits, and these were evaluated for 18 qualitative and 9 quantitative traits (tree, fruit, leaf, seed, and yield). Genotypes DBS-1 (451 Kg/tree), DAK-1 (449.49 kg/tree), and DNM-1 (436.56 kg/tree) exhibited superior yield performance (>300 fruits/plant). Correlation analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis revealed continuous variation in fruit characteristics, grouping the genotypes into four clusters (at 0.8 euclidean distance), with cluster II containing the most genotypes (8). The first three principal components explained 46.69 percent of the total variability (PC1=28.23%). These results are valuable for germplasm conservation and pummelo breeding programs.
