In an exploration for ‘bael’ (Aegle marmelos Corr.) germplasm from the tarai belt of eastern Uttar Padesh and adjoining area of Bihar, twenty four genotypes including three wild types were identified which showed wide range of variation for thorniness on the stem, fruit shape, skull thickness and pulp characteristics, viz., colour, sweetness, taste and presence of aroma. These genotypes also exhibited a wide range of variability for all the 6 quantitative characters recorded. The mean valueswerealsohighfor numberoffruits pertree,fuit yield and number of seed per fruit. Among these, six genotypes were ilientified as promising based on yield potential and fruit quality. These have bem suggested for direct utilization and also use in improvement programmes. Three wild genotypes having small size non-edible fruits showed very high bearing (upto 3000 fruits per tree) and thus may be useful as suitable donor paents fo high bearing potential.
