Genetic Variability in Bael (Aegle Marmelos Correa) Fruits Grown in Western Uttar Pradesh

An attempt has been made at Department of Horticulture, C.S.S.S. (P.G.) College, Machhra, Meerut to evaluate genetic variability in bael fruits grown in western Uttar Pradesh. Ripe fruits of bael from seedling trees of diverse origin were collected from 36 villages of 12 C.D. Blocks of Meerut, Bulandshahar and Baghpat districts. Fruits collected 1rom each block were asaumed as a specific genotype of bael and denoted as Bael Type with a given number, i.e., BT-1 to BT-12. All of the fruits from a Block were replicated thrice and analyzed for their physico-chemical properties. Findings revealed that there was great geneticai variation In physcio-chemical attributes in fruits of bael stra!ns studied. Bael Type-a collected from Chhapraull C.D. block of Baghpat district had highest fruit weight as well as fruit volume and pulp contentlfruit followed by BT-7 collected from Binnaull block 01 the same district, and they were vice-versa for polar and transverse diameters of fruits. Peel contont was maximum In BT-9 while thickest peel was found In BT-H. Fibre and total titratable acidity per cent were minimum In BT-5. Moisture contol'~t was maximum in Bsel Type-3 followed by BT-9. Pulp colour and organoisptic: rating for taste and flavour of fruit pulp were also varied.