Genetic variability in some Psidium species

A study was taken up during 2002-05 to generate information on the variability in different qualitative and quantitative parameters of the wild species of Psidium. The species evaluated exhibited wide variability with respect to growth and fruit quality attributes. The average friut weight ranged from 16.85 g in P.friedrichsthalianum to 157.2 g in P quadrangularis.The flower diameter ranged from 1.6 cm in Pfriedrichsthalianum to 4.3 cm in Lucknow 49. The species Pfriedrichsthalianum may be used for dwarfness, as it is dwarf (2.7 m) compared with the other species. The high vitamin C content (231.5 mg / 100g) in species like P. chinensis and profuse long duration of flowering (58 days) in P molle could also be exploited in breeding.