Studies on Diversity of Lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm.) based on Quantitative Traits under West Bengal Conditions

Abstract

A survey was done in 12 districts of West Bengal to identify the elite lemon genotypes resulted in the identifi cation
of 52 accessions which were further characterized by using 22 quantitative characters for descriptive analysis,
hierarchical cluster analysis, discriminant analysis, correlation co-effi cient analysis and principal Component
analysis and biplot. Wide variation was observed in 12 quantitative charactersi.e.fruit weight, fruit rind thickness,
juice weight, juice volume, juice percentage, number of seeds per fruit, seed weight, seed length, seed width,
TSS: Acid ratio, total sugar and non reducing sugars led to, hierarchical cluster analysis these collections into 20
clusters. Major characters responsible for such clustering by Canonical discriminant analysis were fruit length,
juice volume, juice percentage, seed length and TSS: Acid. Principal component analysis (PCA) explained
seven components with cumulative variance of 77.432 %. However, biplot analysis revealed genotypes present
in diff erent quadrant of scoring plot had higher values of quantitative characters remained in corresponding
quadrant of loading plot. From this study it is concluded that the variability found in lemon genotypes can be
exploited for the selection of elite material for further conserva tion, detailed evaluation and utilization in the
crop improve ment programme.