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MORPHO-PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EIGHT LOQUAT GENOTYPES CULTIVATED IN CHAKWAL DISTRICT, PAKISTAN

AZHAR HUSSAIN, NADEEM A. ABBASI*, ISHFAQ A. HAFIZ AND ATTIQ AKHTAR

Abstract: Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) originated in china and spread to other countries including Pakistan where it is grown in NWFP and northern parts of the Punjab province. In Punjab, Kalar Kahar and Choa Saiden Shah are two famous loquat growing places in district Chakwal. Present work is a part of the first ever study conducted on loquat in Pakistan. Eight genotypes of loquat were selected and comparison was made on the basis of various morpho-physical characteristics which include fruit length, fruit width, width/length index, fruit weight, flesh seed ratio, number of fruits per bunch, fruit yield per plant, days from full bloom to maturity. Number of seeds per fruit, single seed weight, total seed weight per fruit, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, number of flowers per panicle, panicle size, and days from flowering to full bloom were also observed. Statistical analysis of the data was performed to have a clear picture of comparison among the genotypes. Fruit skin colour ranged from yellowish white to orange yellow. Yellowish white pulp colour was noted in KK4, CS1 and CS3, whereas other five genotypes had orange pulp. Fruit shape of the genotypes was round or obovoid. Tree habit ranged from upright to spreading. Fruit weight ranged from 10.03 g in KK3 to 21.37 g in CS2. Lowest yield per tree (30.75 kg) was recorded in KK5, while KK2 had the highest yield per tree (49.03 kg).

Department of Horticulture, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

*E-mail: nadeemabbasi65@yahoo.com