Understanding the Genetic Diversity of Bael for Physicochemical and Nutritional Traits of Fruit in West Bengal

An investigation was carried out to understand the genotypic diversity of 13 bael (Aegle marmelos L. Correa) genotypes and cultivar based on morphological, phytochemical, and nutritional traits of fruit. Higher level of diversity was recorded for morphological traits of fruit namely fruit weight (364.67–2844.3 g), pulp weight (201.00–2414.00 g), and number of seeds per fruit (85–204.67). Rich diversity was also noticed for phytochemical traits. The highest total soluble solid content was registered in Bael-13 (44.79 ºbrix), whereas ascorbic acid and total carotenoids were maximum in Bael-5 (8.21 and 1362.60 mg/100 g, respectively). Bael-6 was significantly superior for total phenols and total flavonoid content as well as the antidiabetic properties (8.34 mg GAE/100 g, 3.57 mg RE/100 g, and 257.71%, respectively). The maximum level of various plant nutrients was recorded in different genotypes namely iron in Bael-2 (1.2 mg/100 g), zinc in Bael-13 (0.35 mg/100 g), and potassium in Bael-9 (22.24 mg/100 g). Further, principal component analysis revealed that the first two components contributed 86.00% to total variation. This information may be useful for future breeding programs to develop nutraceutical-rich varieties of bael and bioprospecting of nutraceuticals from bael on commercial scale.