Morphological footprints of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam) in Konkan belt of Maharashtra: A comparative study

The present investigation focused on the morphological evaluation of five distinct jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) genotypes, namely Kadrekar Kapa, Joshi Kapa, Palur-1, Konkan Prolific, and Kerala Type, with the aim of identifying their unique vegetative characteristics. Detailed observations were recorded on crown architecture, leaf dimensions, leaf blade and apex shapes, base form, orientation, posture, and surface texture. Tree crown shape varied from broadly pyramidal in Joshi Kapa and Palur-1 to elliptical in Konkan Prolific and Kerala Type, while Kadrekar Kapa showed a distinct pyramidal form. Leaf blade length ranged from short in Kadrekar Kapa (93 mm) and Joshi Kapa (97 mm) to medium in the other genotypes (105-110 mm), with widths spanning narrow (50 mm in Joshi Kapa) to broad (77 mm in Kerala Type). Leaf blade shape was predominantly obovate or oblong, except in Konkan Prolific, which exhibited an elliptical form. Apex shape was consistently acuminate across genotypes, while the base showed variation between oblique and rounded forms. Orientation differed, with horizontal positioning in Kadrekar Kapa and Joshi Kapa, and erect leaves in the remaining types. Posture was mostly flattened, except for Palur-1 (revolute) and Konkan Prolific (conduplicate). Regardless of variation in other traits, all genotypes shared a smooth upper leaf surface.