Morpho-Biochemical Characterization Of Pummelos Of Assam

Pummelo or Shaddock (Citrus grandis L.) is one of the important minor fruits of Assam. It is locally known as Rabab Tenga and mostly grown as a backyard crop in homestead garden. Pummelo fruit reproduces sexually and is largely self incompatible and unlike other citrus species it does not produce nucellar seedlings. It is normally propagated through seeds and has not been the subject of major plant breeding attention. Being a cross pollinated crop, there is tremendous amount of variability within the species with which the breeder can work and also provides a wider selection of characters. The pummelo juice industry is becoming increasingly important due to its excellent taste, high nutritive and medicinal value. So far, there are no well defined varieties of pummelo to be regarded as commercial type in the entire northeastern region. Assam is endowed with extremely diverse populations of pummelos in its agro-climatic zones. Identifying the better germplasm through characterization and evaluation is necessary for commercialization of the crop in the region as well as for planning various crop improvement programmes in future.