Fruit Morphological Characterization of Local Custard Apple (Annona squamosa L.) Genotype Grown under Kanker District of Chhattisgarh, India

Aims: To select the best performing local custard apple genotype based on fruit morphological traits so that it can be used commercially for breeding programme in the future from the four village of Kanker district in Chhattisgarh. Study Design: Randomised Complete Block Design. Place and Duration of Study: The present experiment was carried out during the year 2024 in four villages named Bhirawahi, Bhaisakanhar, Bhaismundi and Tedhaikondal of two tehsil areas named Durgkondal and Bhanupratappur of Kanker district in Chhattisgarh. Methodology: Fifteen diverse local wild custard apple genotypes of the age group (5 to 10 years) were selected from different villages under Durgkondal and Bhanupratappur blocks of Kanker district, Chhattisgarh. Based on the descriptors for custard apple, fruit morphological characters were observed. From every genotype fifteen samples of fruits were collected, where samples collected from each directions acted as a replication. Results: Almost all the genotypes showed significant abnormalities in external texture and morphology of the fruit as assessed by descriptors for custard apple. The highest fruit and pulp weight (248.73 g, 139.00 g) and fruit length and width (71.22 cm and 78.00 cm) were recorded in genotype CAG-13, respectively. Moreover, peel thickness CAG-12 (97.12 mm), seed number per fruit-1 and seed length (53.13) and (13.61 mm) were recorded highest in genotype CAG-13 and seed diameter (6.74 mm) in CAG-6. Conclusion: The genotype CAG-13 collected from Bhanupratappur Tehsil area was found to be superior in comparison to other genotypes thus can be further recommended for commercial breeding programme after few more years of observation of both morphological and biochemical characters of the fruits.