Evaluation of Fruit Quality in Different Pomegranate Cultivars Under Sub- Mountain Low Hill Zone of Himachal Pradesh

Six cultivars of pomegranate namely Kandhari Kabuli, Kandhari Hansi, Chawla, G - 137, Mridula and Bhagwa were tested for their fruit quality at the experimental farm of Regional Horticultural Research Station, Jachh (Nurpur) H.P in the year 2012 and 2013. The climate of the zone is hot and dry during summer (April- June) and hot and humid during rainy season (July - September). Study revealed that in term of fruit size Kandhari Kabuli, Kandhari Hansi and G - 137 were observed to be the best varieties in the hot and the humid zone of the Himachal Pradesh. Mridula and Bhagwa produced the small sized fruits. Fruit shape was globose in all the cultivars except Chawla where the fruit shape was oblate. Fruit colour varied from greenish yellow in G-137, red in Kandhari Kabuli, Kandhari Hansi and yellowish pink in Chawla. Large fruited cultivars such as Kandhari Kabuli, Kandhari Hansi and G - 137 had significantly more thicker rind when compared to the small fruited cvs. such as Bhagwa and Mridula. Aril size and weight was significantly higher in Kandhari Hansi followed by G - 137 and Kandhari Kabuli. Aril percentage was significantly more in large fruited cultivars when compared to the small fruited cultivars mainly the Bhagwa. Juice content was found to vary from 63.4 per cent in Chawla to 72.4 per cent in G - 137. Maximum (14.4%) total soluble solids content were recorded in Bhagwa followed by Kandhari Hansi. Percent acidity was observed maximum (0.80)in Kandhari Kabuli followed by Kandhari Hansi (0.72). Fruit of Chawla cultivar was observed less acidic. All the cultivars tested were observed susceptible to the pomegranate butter fly.