Diversity of Bael (Aegel marmelos Corr.) in East Central India

The east and central India has rich genetic diversity of bael. To collect the existing genetic diversity, exploration programme was undertaken in parts of Jharkhand and Bihar during 2002. A total of 33 genotypes of bael having economically important horticultural traits have been identified from the diverse gene pool spread over six districts of Jharkand and ten districts of Bihar. The genotypes showed variability with respect to tree morphological characters, intensity of bearing and fruit characters. The physico-chemical constituent in different genotypes also varied greatly. The fruit weight in different genotypes varied from 0.5–2.6 kg whereas the fruit length varied from 16.8–30.5 cm. The skull thickness which is a negative character for a quality bael fruit, varied from 0.17–0.4cm in different genotypes collected during the exploration. On the basis of fruit characters and bearing behavior five promising genotypes has been identified.