Variability Patterns in Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Seedlings Progenie for Growth and Leaf Parameters

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess variation among existing guava trees of seedling origin. During 2018, a total of 60 healthy seedling guava of trees were marked for study. Marked trees were observed to be erect, spreading and drooping in growth habit, varying in tree height (4.0–10.9m), trunk girth (40.3–114.3 cm), extension growth of twigs (15.4–22.5 cm) and fruit yield (15.4–32.8 kg/tree). The variation was observed in shape of the leaf (round, ovate, obtrullate, obovate and oblong), colour of mature leaf (green to dark green), leaf area (34.42–55.22 cm2 ) and leaf chlorophyll index (32.30-54.80 SPAD meter).Based on overall distinguishing qualities, four of the 60 guava seedling trees tested were identified as "elite."These high-variation traits will be used in a guava breeding programme to select top types, genotypes and vegetatively replicate them on a commercial scale.