A study on diversity and distribution of kokum (Garcinia indica (Choisy) Thouars) using DIVA-GIS in Goa with respect to fruit characters

Kokum (Garcinia indica Choisy (Thouars), native to Western Ghat of India, is an important under-exploited fruit tree having culinary, pharmaceutical and industrial uses. It is a cross-pollinated species and of seedling origin, owing to which, there is heterozygosity and wide variability existing in the natural population. To know the spatial distribution and assessment of natural variability in kokum, grid maps were generated using DIVA-GIS version 5.2. Average fruit weight ranged from 6.80 to 47.60 g with a mean of 18.41 g, whereas, the average fruit diameter varied widely from 1.80 to 5.51 cm with a mean fruit diameter of 2.97 cm. Rind thickness varied from a minimum of 0.14 cm to a maximum of 0.48 cm, with mean of 0.26 cm. Fruit diameter expressed a highly significant and positive correlation with fruit weight (0.789) and rind thickness (0.203). Among the eleven taluks of Goa, Bicholim, Pernem, Ponda and Canacona were found to be promising zones of kokum diversity and are identified as the hotspots for its biodiversity by using various richness and diversity indices.