Variability and Character Association Analysis in Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) Varieties

Eighteen genotypes/varieties of sweet orange having a wide range of variability in various quantitative as well as qualitative characters are being maintained and evaluated at Regional Fruit Research Station, Abohar. A large variability in fruit yield (23–310 fruits/tree), tree height (2.7–4.6 m), tree volume (11.83–97.92 m³), fruit weight (145–226 g/fruit), juice content (45.62–50.41%), TSS (7.0–9.9%), acid content (0.418–1.032%) and ascorbic acid (18.22–26.40 mg/100 ml juice) have been recorded. The seed number ranged from 0 seeds/fruit (Declabre) to 12 seeds/fruit (Queen) in the varieties evaluated. In character association analysis, fruit weight and fruit size were positively correlated. A negative correlation was recorded between fruit size and TSS though it was non-significant. Few introductions, viz., Vainiglia Sanguigno, Olinda Valencia, Cutter Valencia and Campbell Valencia showed promise and are being evaluated for adoption on growers field. Mosambi, Jaffa, Hamlin, Pineapple, Blood Red and Valencia Late are recommended for commercial cultivation..