Morphological and physico-chemical profiling of Sapota genotypes

Sapota (Manilkara zapota), a tropical evergreen fruit tree, holds substantial economic and nutritional importance in many regions, particularly in South and Southeast Asia. Its fruits are rich in sugars, vitamins, and minerals, making it a valuable addition to both local diets and commercial markets. The present study aimed to evaluate and characterize nineteen local Sapota germplasm conserved at the Germplasm Center of Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), Bangladesh. The assessment was carried out using key morphological features and physico-chemical attributes of the ripe Sapota fruits to identify superior genotypes for breeding and cultivation. Parameters such as fruit weight, dimensions, yield, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity, pH, and vitamin C content were meticulously recorded. Among the evaluated genotypes, Germplasm-3 emerged as notable for its superior fruit weight (83.62 g), length (5.22 cm), and width (4.95 cm), indicating its potential for high consumer acceptance. Germplasm-7 excelled in productivity, bearing the highest number of fruits (110) and yield (8.17 kg/germplasm). In terms of fruit quality, Germplasm-9 exhibited the highest TSS (25.85%), indicating greater sweetness, while Germplasm-5 showed promising nutritional content with the highest vitamin C (17 mg/100g) and pH (6.67). The highest titratable acidity (0.23%) was shared by Germplasm-8, -9, and -15. These results provide critical insights into the variability among local Sapota germplasm, facilitating targeted selection for genetic improvement. Germplasm-3, -7, and -9, in particular, offer considerable promise for future breeding programs aimed at enhancing fruit quality, yield potential, and commercial value in Sapota cultivation systems.