Evaluation of segregating guava (Psidium guajava L.) progenies for their pomological and biochemical parameters using multivariate analysis

Abstract

The perennial guava tree characterized by a heterozygous genetic constitution, has been exploited for commercial cultivation of novel recombinants (through vegetative multiplication) obtained via traditional breeding. In this study, 19 guava genotypes, including parental lines and hybrids, were evaluated for physical and biochemical parameters to explore the potential of hybridization. The physical pomological parameters like fruit weight, pulp weight, seed hardness, seed weight per fruit and pulp-to-seed weight ratio, and biochemical parameters like titratable acidity, total phenolics, total flavonoids, total antioxidant and total carotenoids had >20% of the coefficient variations in selected guava genotypes. The hybrid GH-2017-8B (W) had a maximum fruit diameter (6.88 cm), fruit weight (175.67 g) and pulp weight (172.08 g) while hybrid GH-2017-4F had significantly higher total titratable acidity (0.62%) and ascorbic acid content (285.03 mg/100 g pulp). The hybrid GH-2017-2C reported a minimum number of seeds/ fruit (222.33), seed weight/fruit (2.41 g) and maximum pulp: seed weight ratio (64.66) and higher total phenolic content (194.97 mg/100 g GAE FW). The hybrid GH-2017-6C was found superior with respect to total flavonoids (92.53 mg/100 g FW). In contrast, hybrid GH-2017-1F had higher total soluble solids (12.54 ^oBrix), total carotenoids (0.54 mg/100 g FW) and total sugars (9.09%) content. The fruit shape varied from roundish to ovate, the pulp color from red to yellow and yellow-white, while the peel color varied from yellow-green to pink. Hence, the hybrids GH-2017-4F, GH-2017-2C, GH-2017-6C and GH-2017-1F were found superior to the selected guava genotypes.