An approach for the establishment of seedlessness in Kinnow mandarin

An extensive survey of Kinnow orchards (720.4 ha.) in the Ferozepur of Punjab was conducted in sequence for five fruiting seasons. Low seed content (0–10 seeds/fruit) tendency existed in few trees as compared to 25–35 seeds/fruit in general. No significant difference in the vegetative growth, yield and quality existed. Low seed content fruits varied marginally in shape, prominent central hollow core and few bold seeds. Normal fruits have solid central core and numerous bold seeds. For the establishment of seedless character, first three buds from proximal ends of the twigs bearing low seeded fruits were used for further exposure of seedless characters from nature to field permanently on the presumption of periclinical chimera's presence. Several plants thus raised have been planted in field for further evaluation.