Identification of the promising mango (Mangifera indica L.) genotypes based on morphological and pomological...

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the choicest fruit crops of the tropical and subtropical regions in the world. Morphological and pomological diversity of 18 mango (M. indica) genotypes (with 3-10 replications for each genotype, 81 trees in total) was evaluated from four areas of Sistan-va-Baluchestan province, Iran. There were significant differences among the genotypes investigated based on the traits recorded. Harvest date ranged from late May to early August. Fruit skin ground color was highly variable, including light green, green, light yellow, yellow, and orange. The values of fruit dimensions-related characters were as follows: fruit length: 45.67-142.21 mm, fruit diameter: 37.51-94.13 mm, and fruit weight: 44.58-469.42 g. Peel and pulp percentages ranged from 65.24 to 92.45%. The quantity of fiber on stone was intermediate in most of the genotypes. Fruit weight showed positive standardized beta-coefficient (β) values with stone weight (β = 0.66, p < .00) and pulp and skin content (β = 0.44, p < .00). Thus, these two key variables are the main traits accounting for fruit weight, and they should be considered together in breeding programs. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed 21 components explaining 85.44% of the total variance, and the first principal component (PC1) was positively correlated with fruit-related traits. A dendrogram created using Euclidean distances and the Ward's method revealed two main clusters. High dissimilarity levels among the studied genotypes showed high variability in the germplasm. Based on the traits related to fruit quality, seven genotypes, including GulabKhas, Chaunsa, Ghalami, Soldan, Porteghali, KalmiBozorg, and Jangal, were superior and are recommended to use for cultivation in commercial orchards for area-specific and in breeding programs.