Variability And Performance Of Superior Velvet Apple (<i>Diospyros Discolor</i>) Germplasm In The Hilly Region

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Hill Tracts Agricultural Research Station, Ramgarh during two years in 2007 and 2008 to evaluate the variability and performance of selected 11 velvet apple germplasm. A lot of variations in different parameters were observed among the trees. The age of plant varied from 7 to 25 years having tree volume 58 m3 to 428 m3. The number of fruits ranged from 42 to 674 per plant with single fruit weight 118 to 283 g. The length and diameter ranged from 6.63cm to 7.7cm and 5.73cm to 8.3cm, respectively. The maximum edible portion (68.3%) was recorded in DD RAM 011, while it was the lowest (47.6%) in DD RAM 001. The highest TSS% ranged from 7.28% to 14.9%. Highest yield per plant (103.67 kg) was observed in DD RAM 001 and it was lowest in DD RAM 008 (5.99 kg). All the parameters showed poor correlation among them. Considering the factors of weight and size, edible portion %, TSS %, taste, sweetness, and yield per plant, the line DD RAM 011 was found better than others. Keywords: Variability; performance; velvet apple; hilly areas DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v36i2.9248 BJAR 2011; 36(2): 223-230

Fruit growth and proximate composition of deshi (Diospyros peregrina) and bilati gab (D. discolor)

“…This indicates harvest maturity of these two fruits. The present result regarding fruit size (length and diameter of 9.13 and 7.62 cm, respectively) and weight (220 g) of bilati gab is in partial conformity with the report of Ahmed et al (2011) who reported that fruit length and diameter of velvet apple (D. discolor) ranged from 6.63 to 7.7 cm and 5.73 to 8.3 cm, respectively with single fruit weight 118 to 283 g. In deshi gab, pulp fresh and dry weight reached maximum (47.02 and 8.03 g/fruit, respectively) around two months from flowering (63 DAF) and that of bilati gab, three months after flowering (85 DAF) (182.44 and 32.33 g/fruit, respectively) ( Fig. 1C & 1D) that again suggest the harvesting stage of the fruits.…”

“…The fruit is very attractive for its beautiful reddish colour at maturity. Immature fruits are astringent, while ripe fruits have sweet smell and are eaten as table fruits (Ahmed et al 2011). Fruits are nutritionally rich that contain (per 100 g of edible portion) calories 113, water 69.6 g, carbohydrates 26.6 g, fibre l.5 g, fat 0.1 g, protein 1.4 g, minerals 0.8 g, calcium 58 mg (Mondal, 2000).…”

Flowering and fruiting behavior of velvet apple

“…It widely found in Assam, Bihar and southern parts of India. In Bangladesh, this fruit is grown well in the districts of Kushtia, Jessore, Faridpur, Rajshahi, Barisal, Patuakhali, Pirozpur, and Chittagong Hill Tracts region (Ahmed et al, 2011). It is a medium sized to large evergreen tree, grows well in a diversity of soil, from the sea level to the 2,400 feet above sea level.…”

“…It is of medium vigorous growth and makes a desirable ornamental shade tree (Wester, 2009). These plants are propagated by seed and grafts (Ahmed et al, 2011), but usually propagated by seed. Seed trees are normally planted 25 to 30 feet from each other (Rahim et al, 2011).…”

“…Some of the variations are genetic and some of them are environmental. Environmental variation could be manipulated but genetic variations are persistent (Ahmed et al, 2011). Wide genetic variations of velvet apple germplasm were observed in the Patuakhali coastal region.…”