Assessment of Ber Germplasm for Fruit Morphological Traits Under Semi-Arid Conditions

A study on fruit morphological parameters of different ber germplasm was carried out at the Experimental Orchard, CCSHaryana Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Bawal (Rewari), Haryana during 2022-23 and 2023-24.Sixteen selected germplasm of ber planted at 8 m × 8 m in randomized block design (RBD) in three replications werecharacterized based on fruit morphological traits, including fruit colour, shape, fruit apex and base shape and pulp cavity atstyler and stem end. Among different ber germplasm, round fruit shape was noticed in five germplasm viz. Gola, KakrolaGola, Narendra Ber Sel-1, Narendra Ber Sel-2 and Katha Phal, while oblong fruit shape was observed in 6 germplasmviz. Umran, Kaithali, Rohtak Safeda, Bawal Sel-1, Bawal Sel-2 and Mudia Murhara. The germplasm Chhuhara andThar Sevika had ovate fruit shape. Further, oval fruit shape was noticed in two germplasm viz. Goma Kriti and TharBhubraj, while oblate fruit shape was noticed in only one germplasm i.e. Illaichi. At fruit maturity, Katha Phal exhibitedanthocyanin blush on fruit skin while remaining germplasm does not exhibit anthocyanin blush. The round fruit apexwas noticed in 10 germplasm, while it was pointed in 4 germplasm and 2 germplasm had flat fruit apex. The varietieswere systematically classified into five distinct groups based on stone shape, viz. oblong, spindle, club, oval and falcate.The significant variability observed in morphological traits among the germplasm likely represents the genetic diversityinherited from the ancestral species from which these cultivars originated.