Domestication of pummelo (Citrus grandis) in Andhra Pradesh: Suitability and yield are the keys

Despite the health and nutritional benefits of Pummelo (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck) a larger fruit in citrus group, has not attained the commercial importance in Andhra Pradesh, a traditional citrus growing region with highest cultivable area of lime and sweet orange. Hence work was initiated under ICAR-AICRP Fruits at Tirupati centre during 2011-23 by duly establishing a separate block with9 varieties (PTF- 1,2,3,4 from IIHR, Banglore and NRCC Pummelo 1,2,3,4 and 5 from ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur) and a check, Pummelo Pink. This research was conducted using randomized design, replicated thrice with two trees per plot at 6 X 6m spacing. NRCC Pummelo -5 clone seems to be suitable for cultivation in Andhra Pradesh climatic conditions with 58.88 % increase in yield (89 fruits/plant, 23.93 t/ha) over check (6.41 t/ha). In terms of qualityparameters, viz. highestjuice (29.30%), maximum TSS content (11.78° Brix) werealso recorded in NRCC Pummelo 5 clone with low acidity (0.72%). These results are highly indicative strong adoptability of pummelo in Andhra Pradesh.