Citrus diversity, their characterization and evaluation in Nepal

Advances of Horticulture Research in Nepal Proceeding of the Forth National Workshop on Horticulture: Pp: 6-: 4 Eds: B.B. Khatri, B.P. Sharma, P.P. Khatiwada, K.P. Paudyal, B.R. Khadge, and H. N. Regmi Citrus diversity, their characterization and evaluation in Nepal K. Budathoki, H. N. Regmi, N. G. Pradhan and T. P. Gotame Horticulture Research Division, Khumaltar And K. P. Poudyal Citrus Research Program, Dhankuta Abstract Eco-geographic survey to identify the highest diversity areas of citrus genotype was conducted during to 3 in four hill Districts of Nepal. The study also included the characterization, evaluation and quality assessment of fruit genotypes that were identified in diversity areas. Fifteen hill citrus genotypes from different villages were characterized and evaluated. It was found that some of local landraces of mandarin orange ( and ) of Banskharka-, Banskharka-, Parbat District. Sweet orange ( ) of Birauta, Dedeldhura District and of Ratnachura-, District have been found as having high commercial value and these genotypes could immediately be recommended for commercial farming. Key Words: Citrus, Characterization, diversity, evaluation, genotype Introduction Citrus is the important cash crops for the hill farmers of Nepal. The total area under citrus, production and productivity of citrus are 43 hectare, 398 metric ton and.4 ton per hectare (CDP, ). Studies conducted so far under Horticultural Development Project during 985-9, 99-97 and 997-99. (Verma 999), to exploit the local germplasm depicts that there is a lot of genetic diversity in citrus in terms of maturing time and fruit quality. Good strains of mandarin and sweet oranges have been identified and maintained at Horticulture Center, Kirtipur; NCRP, Paripatle, Dhankuta and ARS Horticulture, Dailekh. Most of the commercial cultivars of citrus grown by farmers are the selection from indigenous germplasm (Kaini, 994). Many local cultivars of lime and lemon are also indigenous to mid-hills of Nepal and are also popular in neighbouring countries (Verma, 999). These cultivars are better than exotic cultivars in many desirable traits. Studies conducted to exploit diversity of pummelo indicate that rich diversity in terms of ripening time and good quality fruits have been reported in Morang Districts (Terai region) and Baglung District (Mid-hill) of Nepal (Paudyal, 998). However, the work for the development of lime and lemon is quite inadequate. Although genetic diversity of citrus has got immense potentiality to raise the quality fruit production and productivity, the conservation and use of these genotypes have not yet been carried out in depth. In absence of identification, conservation and utilization of indigenous citrus genotypes, the losses of such valuable genotypes will occur and continues to occur. Therefore, identification of elite valuable genotypes, their proper use and conservation of these valuable unique resources are essential to increase quality production for internal consumption as

well as for export markets. In the view of these problems, this project has been designed to address these problems. This will explore the opportunities of these genotypes for the benefit of large number of farmers, market and consumers thereby reduce poverty and enhance food security in the rural areas in the country. Materials and Methods This study consisted of field survey of diversity villages and laboratory analysis. Field survey was carried out by using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) to assess the genetic diversity. Genetic diversity was studied by using IPGRI produced citrus descriptors. Discussion with focus group, interview with individual fruit growers and in situ observation of orchards, fruit tree and fruits were also carried out in each site. Secondary information were collected from Directorate of Fruit Crop Development Programme, Kirtipur, Citrus Crop Section, Kirtipur, Department of Agriculture Development, Harihar Bhawan, National Citrus Research Programme, Dhankuta, concerned District Agriculture Development Officer, RARS Tarahara and Parwanipur and ARS Dailekh to identify high citrus diversities districts and villages. A total of 5 diversity sites for citrus were identified. These sites have different climate, due to variation in altitude, latitude and longitude. Laboratory analysis was undertaken for quality assessment of the fruits collected from thses orchards. These quality parameters were TSS, T/A ratio, juice content, pulp coor, seed number and taste, pulp firmness, texture and number of segments. During field survey, elite plants with valuable traits were selected and these trees were marked with code number by using colored enamel paints for future identification. Result and Discussions Citrus diversity and site identification Fifteen high citrus density villages from four Districts were identified (Table-), with the help of secondary information received from concerned agencies as described in methodology. The sites, which were selected, were also visited by the team and survey was made to collect the necessary information related to diversity of the citrus (Table-). Germplasm evaluation and characterization A total of 5 genotypes of local mausambi, local junar, local suntala, local kamala and local lime from fifteen villages of four districts were characterized and evaluated (Table- and 3). and kamala come under mandarin and farmers at Banskharka call kamala for the best suntala. and local mousambi are sweet orange. The major traits evaluated and characterized were as follows. Maturity, yield, fruit weight, and tree vigour. Taste, TSS, segments number, and seed number. Fruit surface, spine density. Fruit shape, pulp colour and peel colour. The details are presented from Table- to 5.

Table : Major citrus diversity sites identified. SN Location District Elevation (masl) Latitude Longitude Amargadhi-6, Pokhare 55 9 36 8 35 46 Amargadhi-3, Kateuda 736 9 6 3 8 3 7 3 Amargadhi-3, Birauta 6 9 6 46 8 3 38 4 Amargadhi-, Sarkiya 64 9 7'48 8 35 33 5 Amargadhi-3, Birauta 6 9 6'46 8 3 38 6 Putalibazar-, Karendanda 895 8 5 7.5 83 5 54 7 Putalibazar-3, Mayatari 89 8 4 49 83 49 6 8 Dahathum-, Dahathum 95 8 3 47.5 83 49 9 Putalibazar-3, Karendanda 978 8 5 5.3 83 5 5. Banskharka-3, Banskhark Parbat 339 8 58.6 83 35 34 Banskharka-3, Banskhark Parbat 33 8 56.3 83 35 3.8 Banskharka-, Banskhark Parbat 394 8 35.5 83 35 9 3 Banskharka-, Banskhark Parbat 43 8 36.5 83 35 6.6 4 Banskharka-3, Banskhark Parbat 47 8 49. 83 35 3.9 5 Banskharka-3, Banskhark Parbat 379 8 54.7 83 35 33.4 6 Banskharka-, Banskhark Parbat 38 8 39.4 83 35 7.8 7 Banskharka-3, Banskhark Parbat 39 8 48. 83 35 36.5 8 Banskharka-3, Banskhark Parbat 4 8 57.5 83 35 36.5 9 Banskharka-3, Banskhark Parbat 453 8 36.5 83 35 6.5 Ratnachura-, Bijayachhap 33 7 7 6 85 58 3 Ratnachura-, Nayakhark 94 7 6.8 86 7.7 Basheswora, Nakajoli 79 7 6.5' 86 7. Table : Number of citrus species characterized in different locations S.N District Location Accession Citrus Species selected Lime Mandarin Parbat Banskharka 4 4 Karendanda 3 3 Ratnachaur Basewor-6 4 Pokhare Koteuda Birauta Total 5 5 3 6 Maturity, yield and fruit weight Five genotypes of and i.e. mandarin were found as mid-season maturing from Mansir to Poush mainly from Banskhark, Karendada and Dahathum. However, and from Banskhark of Parbat District were of excellent quality. Similarly, 8 local mousami i.e. sweet orange from Pokhare, Koteuda and Birauta from district were found late maturing from Chaitra to Jestha as an off-season sweet orange fruit. Similarly, two genotypes of

hill lime were found as all season beares from Basewor, Sidhuli and Karendada, district. Similarly, from Ratnachaur and Basewor was found identified as mid-season maturity Regarding Yield and fruit weight, the highest yield of 5-55 fruits per tree was recorded from Banshkharka- mandarin and lowest (8-) in Banshkharka- mandarin. Similarly, the highest fruit weight of -5 g was recorded for local- Pokhere, district and lowest in lime (5-7 g) (Table 3) from Karenidada and District. Accession Name lime Kalami Biju Table 3: The valuable traits of selected elite genotypes of citrus species. Location Maturity Yield no of Weight per Tree vigor fruit per tree fruit (gm.) Banskharka-, Medium 8-8- Intermediate Magh-Falgun Banskharka-, Medium 5 55 5 High Magh-Falgun Banskharka-3, Medium 3 35 5- High Magh-Falgun Banskharka-3, Medium -5 7- Medium Mangsir-Poush Karendanda, Medium 5 - High Mangsir-Poush Karendanda, All round year 5-7 High spreading Dahathum-, Medium 4 5-5 High spreading Mangsir-Poush Ratnachura-, Medium 3-3 5- Intermediate Mansir-Falgun spreading Ratnachura-7, Medium, 5 75- High spreading Mansir-Falgun Baseswor-6, All round year -5 High spreading Pokhere, Off-season 5 8 8- Intermediate Pokhere, Off-season 5 8-5 High Koteuda, Off-season 3 9- High Koteuda, Off-season 3 5- Intermediate Birauta Off-season -5 5- High TSS, Number of seeds and number of segment per fruit. The result shows that the of Banskharka had that highest TSS, lowest segment number and lowest seed numbers per fruit among the mandarin group. Similarly, Kalmi had highest TSS and Biju had lowest seed numbers per fruit among the sweet orange group. However, local mousami fruit from Koteuda contained higher number seeds

followed by mousami from Pokhare (Table-4). The numbers of segments per fruit ranges from 5-9 to - except lime. The result further shows that lesser the segment numbers, the thicker the segment, and hence more pulp in the fruit. Accession Name lime Kalami Biju Table 4: The valuable traits of selected elite genotypes of citrus species. Location Taste TSS No. of No. of segments seeds Banskharka- High sweet, pleasant, 3 8-5-, strong aroma Banskharka- High, sweet pleasant, 7-9 -, strong aroma Banskharka- High sweet pleasant 4 7-7- 3, Banskharka- High sweet pleasant 3. 7-7- 3, Karendanda, High, very sweet,.4 5-9 - pleasant Karendanda, High, pleasant 4-6 -6 aroma, acidic Dahathum-, High, tasty pleasant,.3 9- - strong aroma Ratnachura-, High, very sweet 3. - -3 Ratnachura-7, Very high sweet.3 9-5-9 Baseswor-6, Very high sweet.5 5-8 8- Pokhere, Medium, very sweet.8 Pokhere, High, Very sweet 3. 6 Koteuda, High, sweet.3 3 Koteuda, Less juicy, sweet.3 Birauta High, very sweet 3. 9 Fruit Shape, spine density, surface texture pulp and peel color. Observation showed that five citrus fruits were obloid shaped, 6 were spheroid, were Ellipsoid and one was round. In case of spine density, 6 genotypes had low spines and five genotypes were without spines. It was also noticed that fruits surface of 9 genotypes had smooth tight, 3 had rough and tight skin, genotypes had rough and loose skin and one genotype had smooth and loose skin (Table 5).

Similarly, It was observed that 5 genotypes had fruits with dark yellow colour and 5 genotypes were found to have orange red (Table 5). Accession Name lime Kalami Biju Table 5: The valuable traits of selected elite genotypes of citrus species. Location Fruit Spine Peel Pulp Fruit Shape surface density color colour texture Banskharka-, Banskharka-, Banskharka-3, Banskharka-3, Karendanda, Karendanda, Dahathum-, Ratnachura-, Ratnachura-7, Baseswor-6, Pokhere, Pokhere, Koteuda, Koteuda, Birauta tight Loose Low Dark yellow Yellow Obloid, Fruit base-concave Fruit apex-round, Absent Orange Red Obloid necked & red truncate depressed Absent Orange Orange Obloid, truncate red depressed Low Orange orange Obloid, truncate red High White Round Absent Yellow Orange Pyriform, Fruit baseconvex Fruit apex-depressed, Absent Orange red Obloid Low Yellow Spheroid, concave, rounded Absent Yellow Spheroid, concave, rounded Low- Yellow Spheroid, concave, Absent red rounded Low- Dark Spheroid, concave, Medium yellow rounded High Dark Spheroid, concave, yellow rounded Low Dark Spheroid, convex and yellow depressed Medium Dark Ellipsoid, truncate, yellow rounded Low Dark Ellipsoid, truncate, yellow Conclusion The following local genotypes of suntala, kamala, mousami, junar and bahramase kagati had excellent fruit quality interms of fruit yield, maturity, fruit size, peel colour, pulp colour, taste, absence of albino (white layers in pulp and segments) in pulp or segments and low seed numbers in fruit which are preferred by producer, marketers and consumers.

Hence, these genotypes had high, commercial, economical and social values, which should be released and recommended for large scale cultivation as quick as possible. Mousambi from are produced from Chaitra to Jestha, which is an off-season month for this fruit in Nepal and India. These genotypes are: Mousambi from Birauta, District and from Banskhark and Parbat Districts. Kagati from Karendada and Baseswor, and Districts respectively. References CDP, : Annual Report of citrus crops, Citrus Development Section, Kritipur, His Majesty Government of Nepal. Kaini, B. R. (994). Status of fruit plant genetic resources in Nepal. In: Plant Genetic Resources Nepalese Prospective. Proc. National Workshop on Plant Genetic Resources Conservation, Use and Management, organized by NARC at Kathmandu, Nov. 8- Dec., 994. NARC, 3. Final Report, IPGRI-ADB-TFT Project on Conservation and Use of Mango and Citrus Species Biodiversity in Nepal. Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NRAC), Singha Durbar Plaza, Kathmandu, Nepal. Paudyal, K. P. 998: Evaluation of genetic diversity of pummelo in Nepal and improvement of propagation technique (Ph. D. Thesis). Submitted to Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Development of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Southampton. Verma, S. K. 999: A brief introduction to Horticultural Development Project. In: Annual Report (998/99), Horticulture Development Follow-up Program, Kritipur, Nepal.