Physico-chemical fruit characters of wild apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) seedling accessions from higher altitudes of district Kinnaur

Investigations were carried out in different villages of dry temperate zone (3000 m amsl) of Himachal Pradesh to study the fruit characters of apricot seedling trees and to identify superior genotypes with good fruit qualities. Observations on physico-chemical characters of fruits were recorded from 51 genotypes. The evaluated genotypes exhibited considerable variability with respect to various physical and chemical characters recorded. The genotypes Le-02, Le-06, Ka-06 and Yg-03 were found promising as they had higher fruit size, weight, pulp recovery, total soluble solids and total sugar contents. Maximum fruit weight (24.20 g) was recorded in Le-06 followed by Le-02 which had highest fruit length (37.51 mm), breadth (39.28 mm) and thickness (38.76 mm). Highest pulp recovery (94.65%) was registered in Le-06 followed by Yg-03 (92.76%) which had registered lowest acidity (0.51%) and highest TSS/acid ratio (32.93%) and reducing sugar (6.33%). Maximum total sugar was recorded in Ka06 (9.69%) followed by Yg-03 (9.45%). Least stone content (5.34%) and acidity (0.51%) was registered in Le-06 and Ka-06, respectively. Hence these genotypes can be used as cultivar in future for dry temperate zone after their vegetative propagation or might be used in the breeding improvement programmes.